parathyroid gland


noun Anatomy.

any of several small oval glands usually lying near or embedded in the thyroid gland.

Origin of parathyroid gland

First recorded in 1900–05

British Dictionary definitions for parathyroid glands

parathyroid gland

noun

any one of the small egg-shaped endocrine glands situated near or embedded within the thyroid gland: they secrete parathyroid hormone

Medical definitions for parathyroid glands

parathyroid gland

n.

Any of usually four small kidney-shaped glands that lie in pairs near or within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland and secrete a hormone necessary for the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.

Scientific definitions for parathyroid glands

parathyroid gland
[ păr′ə-thīroid ]

Any of four kidney-shaped glands located behind or within the thyroid gland of many vertebrate animals.♦ The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone, which regulates the amount of calcium in the blood.

Cultural definitions for parathyroid glands

parathyroid glands
[ (par-uh-theye-royd) ]

A set of four small glands on the undersurface of the thyroid gland that function in the endocrine system. The parathyroid glands secrete a hormone that regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.