Thyroid Gland and Hypothyroidism - Lesson 299
Where is Thyroid Gland? This lesson will deal with thyroid gland and hypothyroidism and thyroid functions. The biggest endocrine gland in the human body is thyroid gland. It is situated in the neck inferiorly to the thyroid cartilage. Thyroid cartilage forms a prominence in that area named as Adam's apple. Thyroid gland consists of two lobes and isthmus is a bridge like structure that attaches two thyroid glands. Isthmus is situated under the cricoid cartilage. The two lobes of the thyroid gland are situated on both sides of the wind pipe or trachea. Thyroid gland functions as an important endocrine gland in the body. It has no ducts to pass their hormones into bloodstream. Thyroid gland secretes two important hormones, such as, thyroxine or tetraidothyroxine and triiodothyronine. Using iodine thyroid gland produces these hormones. Iodine is captured by thyroid glands from the blood and tyrosine. Thyroxine is much thicker hormone than triiodothyronine. We will now see a