The superior parathyroid glands are the upper pair of the usually four parathyroid glands, small yellow-brown bodies about 6 mm long on the back of the thyroid. They develop from the fourth pharyngeal pouch and are fairly constant in position.
| Location | Posterior surface of the thyroid lobes near the cricothyroid junction, about 1 cm above where the inferior thyroid artery crosses the recurrent laryngeal nerve |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Cervical sympathetic ganglia (vasomotor) |
| Blood Supply | Inferior thyroid artery (usually); Superior thyroid artery |
| Venous drainage | |
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Produce parathyroid hormone, which raises blood calcium by acting on bone, kidney and, via vitamin D, the gut.
Because their position is predictable, surgeons look for them close to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Accidental removal or bruising during thyroid surgery causes low calcium with tingling and cramps. An adenoma in one gland is the commonest cause of primary hyperparathyroidism.
Excess hormone from a parathyroid adenoma causing high calcium, kidney stones and bone loss.
Low calcium from parathyroid injury during neck surgery.
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