parathyroid glands

Cultural

A set of four small glands on the undersurface of the thyroid gland that function in the endocrine system. The parathyroid glands secrete a hormone that regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Two weeks ago, while home recovering from a surgery on my parathyroid glands, I took a sip of coffee and realized I couldn’t taste it.

From Washington Post • Aug. 19, 2021

She said she was tested after undergoing outpatient surgery involving the parathyroid glands in the neck that regulate calcium levels in the blood.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2021

The parathyroid glands are four masses of tissue, two embedded posterior in each lateral mass of the thyroid gland.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The disease, an overactivity in the parathyroid glands, can cause elevated levels of calcium in the blood and bone loss.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2014

Aquino has said his predecessor’s problems with her parathyroid glands don’t require treatment abroad and offered to fly in specialists for Arroyo.

From BusinessWeek • Nov. 18, 2011

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023