parathyroid gland

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. any of several small oval glands usually lying near or embedded in the thyroid gland.

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parathyroid gland British  

noun

1. any one of the small egg-shaped endocrine glands situated near or embedded within the thyroid gland: they secrete parathyroid hormone

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parathyroid gland Scientific  

/ păr′ə-thī′roid /

1. Any of four kidney-shaped glands located behind or within the thyroid gland of many vertebrate animals.

2. ◆ The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone, which regulates the amount of calcium in the blood.

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Etymology

Origin of parathyroid gland

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Stretching stimulates nerve impulses to be sent to the brain, which releases oxytocin from the parathyroid gland, which in turn causes uterine contractions.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Perhaps the worst shock of early camp was news that Lester, a cancer survivor long ago, had such problems with low energy that he needed surgery to have a parathyroid gland removed.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2021

Explain why someone with a parathyroid gland tumor might develop kidney stones.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Hyperparathyroidism: The parathyroid gland is involved in regulating the amount of calcium in the blood.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2011

Professor Israel Mordecai Rabinowitch, 41, director of the department of metabolism of Montreal General Hospital, who, especially interested in diets for diabetics, guides research on the parathyroid gland, gall bladder, kidney, liver.

From Time Magazine Archive