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thyroid gland
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Detailed anatomical illustration of the human thyroid gland and surrounding structures, showing the right and left lobes, isthmus, nearby arteries, veins, nerves, lymph nodes, and cartilage in the neck. Structural drawing of T3, reverse T3, and T4, showing the synthesis of T3 and reverse T3 from T4. parafollicular cell; thyroid gland Major glands of the human endocrine system. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland and influences food intake, weight regulation, fluid intake and balance, thirst, body heat, and the sleep cycle. Pituitary hormones stimulate growth, egg and sperm development, milk secretion, and release of hormones by other glands. The pineal gland may play a significant role in sexual maturation and the circadian rhythm. Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolic rate of tissues, stimulate the contraction of heart muscle, and are necessary for normal growth and brain development before birth and during infancy. Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. The adrenal glands regulate salt and water retention, some reactions of the immune system, and blood pressure. The islets of Langerhans regulate blood sugar levels. The ovaries and testes produce hormones that regulate the reproductive system and that produce male and female secondary sex characteristics. The principal glands of the female and male human endocrine systems.
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thyroid gland: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Physiology, Thyroid. Oct 24, 2026
Add new Web site: Verywell Health - Iodine's Role in Thyroid Health. Aug 15, 2026
Add new Web site: Healthdirect - Thyroid gland. Mar 13, 2026
Add new Web site: CORE - Interventional radiology of the thyroid gland: critical review and state of the art (PDF). Jan 31, 2026
Add new Web site: Frontiers - Frontiers in Endocrinology - Trace elements and the thyroid. Jul 19, 2025
Add new Web site: Mustansiriyah University - Biochemistry of the Thyroid Glands (PDF). Mar 28, 2025
Add new Web site: BCcampus Open Publishing - Advanced Anatomy 2nd. Ed. - Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. Oct 25, 2024
Add new Web site: Thompson Rivers University - Human Biology - Thyroid Gland. May 29, 2024
Add new Web site: Pressbooks - Boundless Anatomy and Physiology - The Thyroid Gland. Dec 29, 2023
Add new Web site: MSD Manual - Consumer Version - Overview of the Thyroid Gland. Oct 18, 2023
Add new Web site: Medicine LibreTexts - The Thyroid Gland. Aug 11, 2023
Add new Web site: TeachMePhysiology - Thyroid Gland. Jun 30, 2023
Add new Web site: Better Health Channel - Thyroid gland. May 18, 2023
Add new Web site: University of Southern Queensland - Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology - The Thyroid Gland. Apr 05, 2023
Add new Web site: Cleveland Clinic - Thyroid. Jan 16, 2023
Add new Web site: Verywell Health - The Anatomy of the Thyroid Gland. Nov 18, 2022
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Physiology, Thyroid. Sep 02, 2022
Add new Web site: Pacific Medical Training - PMT Scribe Academy - The Endocrine System. Nov 12, 2018
Add new Web site: Pacific Medical Training - PMT Scribe Academy - The Endocrine System. Nov 12, 2018
Add new Web site: WebMD - What Should You Know About Thyroid Disease? Jun 07, 2018
Add new Web site: British Thyroid Foundation - Your Thyroid Gland. Apr 20, 2018
Added information on the anatomy of the thyroid gland and on the biochemistry, regulation, and actions of thyroid hormone. Dec 21, 2009
Added new Web site: EndocrineWeb.com - Thyroid Gland Function. Mar 26, 2009
Added new Web site: MedicineNet.com - Thyroid gland. Mar 26, 2009
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Healthguide - Thyroid Ultrasound. Sep 24, 2008
Media added. Sep 23, 2008
Added new Web site: Canadian Diabetes Association - Thyroid disease. Jul 21, 2008
Added new Web site: EndocrineWeb.com - How Your Thyroid Works. Jul 21, 2008
Added new Web site: UCSF Childrens Hospital in California - Thyroid Disorders. Jul 21, 2008
Added new Web site: Endocrinologist.com - Thyroid Disorders. Jul 21, 2008
Added new Web site: KidsHealth - TeensHealth -Thyroid Disease Definitions. May 14, 2008
Article revised. Jan 19, 2006
Article added to new online database. May 27, 1999
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