The document outlines the gross anatomy and histology of the parathyroid glands, detailing their location, structure, function, and blood supply. It describes the teaching methodologies employed to facilitate student learning, including various interactive and self-directed learning approaches. Additionally, it covers the histological features, clinical correlations, and the role of parathyroid hormone in regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the body.

1. Gross Anatomy & Histology of
Parathyroid Glands
Dr. Rabia Inam Gandapore
Assistant Professor
Head of Department Anatomy
(Dentistry-BKCD)
B.D.S (SBDC), M.Phil. Anatomy (KMU),
Dip. Implant (Sharjah, Bangkok, ACHERS) , CHPE
(KMU),CHR (KMU), Dip. Arts (Florence, Italy)

2. Teaching Methodology
 LGF (Long Group Format)
 SGF (Short Group Format)
 LGD (Long Group Discussion, Interactive discussion with the use of
models or diagrams)
 SGD (Short Group)
 SDL (Self-Directed Learning)
 DSL (Directed-Self Learning)
 PBL (Problem- Based Learning)
 Online Teaching Method
 Role Play
 Demonstrations
 Laboratory
 Museum
 Library (Computed Assisted Learning or E-Learning)
 Assignments
 Video tutorial method

3. Goal/Aim (main objective)
 To help/facilitate/augment the students about the:
1. Describe Gross features of Parathyroid gland.
2. Describe the Histological features of Parathyroid gland
3. Describe Blood & Nerve supply of Parathyroid gland.

4. Specific Learning Objectives (cognitive)
At the end of the lecture the student will able to:
 Recognize the gross anatomical & Histological features of the Parathyroid
Gland
 Sketch labeled diagram of the Histology of Parathyroid Gland

5. Psychomotor Objective: (Guided response)
 A student to draw labelled diagram of the Histology of Parathyroid Gland

6. Affective domain
 To be able to display a good code of conduct and moral values in the class.
 To cooperate with the teacher and in groups with the colleagues.
 To demonstrate a responsible behavior in the class and be punctual, regular, attentive and on
time in the class.
 To be able to perform well in the class under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
 Study the topic before entering the class.
 Discuss among colleagues the topic under discussion in SGDs.
 Participate in group activities and museum classes and follow the rules.
 Volunteer to participate in psychomotor activities.
 Listen to the teacher's instructions carefully and follow the guidelines.
 Ask questions in the class by raising hand and avoid creating a disturbance.
 To be able to submit all assignments on time and get your sketch logbooks checked.

7. Lesson contents
Clinical chair side question: Students will be asked if they know what is the function of
Outline:
 Activity 1 The facilitator will explain the student's Gross anatomy of Parathyroid Gland
 Activity 2 The facilitator will ask the students to make a labeled diagram of the Histology of Parathyroid
Gland
 Activity 3 The facilitator will ask the students a few Multiple Choice Questions related to it with
flashcards.

8. Recommended Books
 Students assessment: MCQs, Flashcards, Diagrams labeling.
 Learning resources: Langman’s T.W. Sadler, Laiq Hussain Siddiqui, Snell Clinical Anatomy,
Netter’s Atlas, BD Chaurasia’s Human anatomy, Internet sources links.

9. Thyroid Gland

10. Thyroid Gland
 Named after the Thyroid cartilage
 (Greek: Shield shaped)
 Largest endocrine gland
 Location: Anterior neck region
 2 Lateral lobes connected by isthmus
 Secretes:
1. Tetra-iodo-thyronine (Thyroxine)
2. Tri-ido-thyronine
3. Calcitonin
Location of thyroid gland

11. Gross Anatomy of
Parathyroid Gland
 GROSS FEATURES OF PARATHYROID GLAND.
 HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PARATHYROID GLAND
 BLOOD & NERVE SUPPLY OF PARATHYROID GLAND.

12. Parathyroid Gland
 Small flattened, oval (6 mm long in diameter)
 4 on Posterior surface of each lobe of the
thyroid gland, lying within its fascial capsule
 Superior & Inferior Parathyroid glands
 External to Thyroid capsule
 Hormone it opposes: Calcitonin (regulates
Ca+2 ions into blood & Bones)
 Function: maintain body calcium &
phosphate level so nervous & muscular
system function properly by secreting
parathyroid Hormone (Para-thormone)

13. Location and Description
1. Two Superior Parathyroid Glands: 1 cm superior to the point of
entry of inferior thyroid arteries into thyroid gland.
 More constant in position
 Usually at the level of inferior border of cricoid cartilage.
2. Two Inferior Parathyroid Glands:1 cm inferior to arterial entry
point
 Various positions
 Usually near inferior poles of thyroid gland
 or within fascial sheath, embedded in thyroid substance, or
outside the fascial sheath.
 Sometimes, they are found some distance caudal to thyroid
gland, in association with the inferior thyroid veins
 they may even reside in the superior mediastinum in the thorax.

14. Blood & Nerve supply of
Parathyroid gland.
 GROSS FEATURES OF PARATHYROID GLAND.
 HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PARATHYROID GLAND
 BLOOD & NERVE SUPPLY OF PARATHYROID GLAND.

15. Blood Supply & Lymphatic Drainage
 Arterial Blood Supply:
a. Superior Parathyroid Gland = Inferior thyroid artery
b. Inferior Parathyroid Gland= Ascending branch of inferior thyroid arteries (arise from
thyrocervical trunk i.e. sub-clavian artery) & thyroid ima artery
c. Laryngeal, Tracheal & Esophageal arteries
 Venous drainage: is into: (drain into thyroid plexus of veins of thyroid gland)
a. Superior & Middle thyroid vein: drains into Internal Jugular vein
b. Inferior thyroid vein: drains into Brachiocephalic Vein
 Lymphatic Drainage: into
a. Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes
b. Para Tracheal Lymph Nodes

19. Neurovasculature
 Nerves: derived from thyroid branches
of cervical (sympathetic) ganglia
 they are vasomotor rather than
secretomotor
 Hormonally regulated, Parathormone
(PTH)
 controls metabolism of phosphorus &
calcium in blood. targets skeleton,
kidneys, intestine.

22. Developmental Embryology of Parathyroid
Gland
 Superior: 4 pharyngeal pouch
 Inferior: 3 pharyngeal pouch

23. Clinical Correlation

24. DiGeorge Syndrome

25. Ectopic Parathyroid Gland
• Abnormal
number of
parathyroi
d gland

26. Inadvertent Removal of Parathyroid Glands

27. Histological features of
Parathyroid gland
 GROSS FEATURES OF PARATHYROID GLAND.
 HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PARATHYROID GLAND
 BLOOD & NERVE SUPPLY OF PARATHYROID GLAND.

28. Histology of the Endocrine System
Hormone delivery
 Pituitary (hypophysis)
– Anterior pituitary
– Posterior pituitary
 Adrenal gland (suprarenal)
– Adrenal cortex
– Adrenal medulla
 Thyroid gland
– Follicles
– Parafollicular cells
 Parathyroid gland
Considered in other lectures:
– Endocrine pancreas
– Male
– Female
– Enteroendocrine

29. Para-Thyroid Gland
 Connective tissue capsule
 Septa divide parenchymal cells (Cluster anastomosing cords)
into:
1. Chief Cells or Principal Cells
2. Oxyphil Cells
 Stroma
 Reticular Fibers
 Capillaries Fenestrated Capillaries
 Fat Cells (Increase with age, Elder 60-70% glandular mass)

31. No. Chief Cells (Principal Cells) Oxyphil Cells (stain-loving)
1. More numerous cells Less numerous cells
2. Small Polygonal cells Large cells
3. Round & central nucleus Single, small Cluster
4. Vesicular, Pale stain
5. Acidophilic cytoplasm Abundant cytoplasm, lightly stained=Acidophilic
(Increased mitochondria)
6. Glycogen granules
7. Lipid droplets
8. Lipofuscin pigments
9. Secretory Granules No secretory granules
10. Hormone: Secretes Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)=
Para-thormone
11. Function:
1. Increase Ca+2 : Stimulating Bone resorption
Increase renal excretion of Ca+2 by Kidney
tubules.
2. Lowers serum phosphate
Function: Unknown
Believed they are chief cells which has reached
non secretory stage

32. Fat cell
Oxyphil cell cluster, LM

33. Parathyroid gland (mostly chief cells) , low power LM
Blood vessel

34. Parathyroid, chief cells, one oxyphil (arrow), LM
Fat cell

35. Parathyroid capillary bed,
corrosion vascular cast, SEM

37. 1. Calcium: PTH increase blood calcium level by stimulating Osteoblast indirectly activating
osteoclasts to breakdown bone and release Calcium. PTH increases Gastro-intestinal
calcium absorption by activating Vit. D and promotes calcium conservation (resorption) by
Kidney.
2. Phosphate: PTH regulates serum phosphate conc. Via kidney. It is an inhibitor of proximal
tubular reabsorption of phosphorus through activation of Vit. D, Hence absorption of
Phosphate increased.
 Hyper- Parathyroidism:
 Bone Pain & Tenderness
 Dehydration
 Renal disease
 Hypo- Parathyroidism:
 Genetic condition

38. Thank You
ANY QUESTIONS?