The Endocrine System: Thyroid and Parathyroid

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Baker ◽  
John R. Porterfield Jr

In the adult, the thyroid gland is located in the central compartment of the neck on the anterolateral aspect of the cervical trachea between the carotid sheaths. Patients with thyroid disorders require attentive care, and safe, successful surgery of the thyroid is dependent on an intimate knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the gland. This review discusses nerve branches and function; arterial and venous blood supply; lymphatic drainage; histology; physiology; and thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, and regulation. Nerve injuries and postoperative complications are summarized, as are functions of thyroid hormones. A thorough understanding of these relationships is imperative for proper medical recommendations, surgical procedure selection, and meticulous surgical technique to avoid complications. To provide safe care of patients with thyroid disorders, treating physicians must embrace the intricate details of the anatomy and physiology of this unique gland to avoid potentially devastating complications. This review contains 5 figures, 3 tables, and 29 references. Key Words: brachial cleft, lymphatic zones, recurrent laryngeal nerve, superior laryngeal nerve, nerve injury, thyroglossal duct cysts, thyroid, thyroidectomy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Baker ◽  
John R. Porterfield Jr

In the adult, the thyroid gland is located in the central compartment of the neck on the anterolateral aspect of the cervical trachea between the carotid sheaths. Patients with thyroid disorders require attentive care, and safe, successful surgery of the thyroid is dependent on an intimate knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the gland. This review discusses nerve branches and function; arterial and venous blood supply; lymphatic drainage; histology; physiology; and thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, and regulation. Nerve injuries and postoperative complications are summarized, as are functions of thyroid hormones. A thorough understanding of these relationships is imperative for proper medical recommendations, surgical procedure selection, and meticulous surgical technique to avoid complications. To provide safe care of patients with thyroid disorders, treating physicians must embrace the intricate details of the anatomy and physiology of this unique gland to avoid potentially devastating complications. This review contains 5 figures, 3 tables, and 29 references. Key Words: brachial cleft, lymphatic zones, recurrent laryngeal nerve, superior laryngeal nerve, nerve injury, thyroglossal duct cysts, thyroid, thyroidectomy


Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
Kaori Iimura ◽  
Nobuhiro Watanabe ◽  
Philip Milliken ◽  
Yee-Hsee Hsieh ◽  
Stephen J. Lewis ◽  
...  

Electrical stimulation of myelinated afferent fibers of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) facilitates calcitonin secretion from the thyroid gland in anesthetized rats. In this study, we aimed to quantify the electrical SLN stimulation-induced systemic calcitonin release in conscious rats and to then clarify effects of chronic SLN stimulation on bone mineral density (BMD) in a rat ovariectomized disease model of osteoporosis. Cuff electrodes were implanted bilaterally on SLNs and after two weeks recovery were stimulated (0.5 ms, 90 microampere) repetitively at 40 Hz for 8 min. Immunoreactive calcitonin release was initially measured and quantified in systemic venous blood plasma samples from conscious healthy rats. For chronic SLN stimulation, stimuli were applied intermittently for 3–4 weeks, starting at five weeks after ovariectomy (OVX). After the end of the stimulation period, BMD of the femur and tibia was measured. SLN stimulation increased plasma immunoreactive calcitonin concentration by 13.3 ± 17.3 pg/mL (mean ± SD). BMD in proximal metaphysis of tibia (p = 0.0324) and in distal metaphysis of femur (p = 0.0510) in chronically SLN-stimulated rats was 4–5% higher than that in sham rats. Our findings demonstrate chronic electrical stimulation of the SLNs produced enhanced calcitonin release from the thyroid gland and partially improved bone loss in OVX rats.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Guthrie ◽  
Johanna Von Hofe ◽  
Rachael B Lancaster

The human reproductive system is a unique combination of organs and endocrine components that is extremely complex and adaptive. The reproductive organs are distinct between males and females, and sexual differentiation is a result of genotype, gonadal type, and phenotype. The anatomic and physiologic system of each sex is composed with a set purpose: to propagate the human species. Linked closely to the reproductive system is the endocrine system, which provides the messengers and feedback mechanisms that allow the development, maintenance, and function of the reproductive organs. The gonads have both endocrine and exocrine functions, namely steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. This review focuses on the components of the endocrine system as well as male and female anatomy and physiology to fully grasp the human reproductive system.  Key words: fertility, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, reproductive anatomy, sexual aging, sexual physiology


1989 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Bevan ◽  
M. V. Griffiths ◽  
M. H. Morgan

AbstractCricothyroid muscle paralysis is often missed as the symptoms are not dramatic and the laryngeal observations, on conventional indirect mirror examination, are inconclusive. The anatomy and physiology of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) and cricothyroid muscle are described. Three case reports are presented to illustrate our diagnostic techniques. Videofibrolaryngoscopy and electromyography are found to be invaluable tools for the diagnosis of this condition. The importance in diagnosing this entity is discussed.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Guthrie ◽  
Johanna Von Hofe ◽  
Rachael B Lancaster

The human reproductive system is a unique combination of organs and endocrine components that is extremely complex and adaptive. The reproductive organs are distinct between males and females, and sexual differentiation is a result of genotype, gonadal type, and phenotype. The anatomic and physiologic system of each sex is composed with a set purpose: to propagate the human species. Linked closely to the reproductive system is the endocrine system, which provides the messengers and feedback mechanisms that allow the development, maintenance, and function of the reproductive organs. The gonads have both endocrine and exocrine functions, namely steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. This review focuses on the components of the endocrine system as well as male and female anatomy and physiology to fully grasp the human reproductive system.  Key words: fertility, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, reproductive anatomy, sexual aging, sexual physiology


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Dennis Kraus ◽  
Ashok R Shaha ◽  
James Paul O'Neill ◽  
Jennifer La Femina

ABSTRACT A nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve is a rare anomaly and estimated to be present in 0.25 to 0.99% of patients.1 The identification and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is an essential part of thyroid surgery. It is now well-known that the recurrent laryngeal nerve is not only a single nerve but also a complex branching network of innervation. Thyroid surgery demands a precise understanding of the anatomical intimacy between the gland and surrounding structures, including the parathyroid glands and neurovascular tissue. The morbidity associated with thyroid surgery, in the short-term, generally relates to hematoma collection and hypocalcemia. Long-term morbidity is more commonly seen with dysphonia and vocal cord dysfunction due to superior laryngeal nerve damage and its role in explosive sound formation, the recurrent laryngeal nerve, its tortuous anatomical course, and its role in laryngeal musculature innervation. We review the literature on this subject and report three cases of the rare nonrecurrent anomaly, firstly a 75-year-old lady with a large retrosternal goiter. During her initial work-up which included a CT scan of the thorax, an ‘arteria lusoria' was identified in the retroesophageal plane. Intraoperatively, a right-sided nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN) was identified. The second case is of a 63-year-old lady with a right-sided type 1 nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve which we identified and photographed when medially retracting the gland off the central compartment and ligament of Berry. The third case is that of a 45-year-old lady with a right-sided thyroid nodule and a right-sided NRILN identified intraoperatively.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14
Author(s):  
Deepak Yadav ◽  
Bhawana Dangol ◽  
Anita GC ◽  
Namita Shrestha ◽  
Ishwor Raj Devkota ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the outcome of thyroid surgeries at Patan HospitalMaterials and Methods: It is a retrospective study of in-patient records of patients undergoing thyroid surgeries for various indications from April 2013 to January 2015 at Patan Hospital, Lalitpur.Results: During the period of 21 months, 75 patients underwent thyroid surgeries. Majority of patients underwent hemithyroidectomy (35) followed by total thyroidectomy (28), subtotal thyroidectomy (7) and completion thyroidectomy (5). Out of 28 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (TT), 11 underwent central compartment clearance (CCC), 5 underwent CCC and lateral neck dissection. Among 5 patients undergoing completion thyroidectomy, CCC was performed in all cases and in one patient lateral neck dissection was also performed.  A total of 13 patients developed unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLN), among them 5 had permanent palsy. Tracheostomy had to be done in immediate postoperative period for stridor following total thyroidectomy (TT) in one case. Temporary hypocalcaemia was observed in 10 (10/28) cases following TT, out of which 8 had undergone CCC. Permanent hypocalcaemia was observed in 7 (7/28) cases following TT out of which 3 had undergone CCC. Chylous leak occurred in one of the patient undergoing left level II-IV neck dissection which was managed conservatively. None of the patient had to be transfused postoperatively.Conclusion: Complications to thyroid surgery are not uncommon. Visualization of recurrent laryngeal nerve alone in our context is adequate in experienced hands. Identification of parathyroid during thyroidectomy is recommended to avoid hypocalcaemia. Meticulous dissection can reduce the complications.Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2015


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