Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The parathyroid glands are small, pea-sized glands located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland in the neck. They produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the blood and bone metabolism.
The process by which the body maintains stable levels of calcium in the blood, crucial for normal functioning of nerves, muscles, and bones.
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): A hormone produced by the parathyroid glands that increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption and increasing calcium absorption from the kidneys and intestines.
A condition characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), leading to high levels of calcium in the blood, often resulting from a tumor or enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands