The inferior parathyroid glands are the lower pair of parathyroid glands. They develop from the third pharyngeal pouch with the thymus and migrate further, so their position varies more than the superior glands.
| Location | Usually near the lower poles of the thyroid lobes; may lie in the thyrothymic ligament, thymus or mediastinum |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Cervical sympathetic ganglia (vasomotor) |
| Blood Supply | Inferior thyroid artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Produce parathyroid hormone to keep blood calcium within a narrow range.
Because they descend with the thymus, a missing inferior gland may be found in the chest. Imaging such as sestamibi scanning helps locate adenomas before surgery.
A hormone-producing adenoma in an unusual position such as the thymus or mediastinum.
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