hyperparathyroidism

[hahy-per-par-uh-thahy-roi-diz-uh m]

noun Pathology.

overactivity of the parathyroid gland, characterized by softening of the bones, with consequent pain, tenderness, and a tendency to spontaneous fractures, and by muscular weakness and abdominal cramps.

Origin of hyperparathyroidism

First recorded in 1915–20; hyper- + parathyroid + -ism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

hyperparathyroidism in Medicine

(hī′pər-păr′ə-thī′roi-dĭz′əm)

An increase in the secretory activity of the parathyroid glands, causing generalized osteitis fibrosa cystica, elevated serum calcium, decreased serum phosphorus, and increased excretion of both calcium and phosphorus.