Sam Pandey and Ben Cherry P:6 1/13/13

 We normally have 4 parathyroid glands total  Located in the neck  Exist behind the Thyroid gland  Exist in groups of two  Two on the left of the thyroid and two on the right

 Parathyroid Gland secretes two main hormones  The Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)-Positive hormone  Calcitonin-Negative hormone

 Both PTH and calcitonin regulate calcium levels  PTH increases the level of calcium and phosphorous if level is low (osteoclast activation)  PTH acts upon both bones and kidneys  Withdraws calcium from urine  Calcitonin inhibits osteoclasts

 Parathyroid hormone controls calcium  Calcium plays an enormous role in maintenance of homeostasis  Effects neuromuscular excitability, blood clotting, cell membrane permeability and functioning of certain enzymes  Calcium is very important…

 The most important roles of calcium are…  Provide means for electrical impulses to travel  Provide electrical energy to nervous system  Provide electrical energy to muscular system  Provide strength to skeletal system

 Low blood calcium level leads to…  Increased secretion of PTH  Further osteoclast activation  Increase in bone matrix breakdown  Calcium transported to bloodstream  Blood-calcium level increase  Ultimately achieving normal BCL

 High blood calcium leads to…  Increased secretions in calcitonin (antagonistic hormone)  Reduced or inhibits osteoclast activity  Decrease in bone matrix breakdown  Ultimately achieving normal BCL

 Hyperparathyroidism- a disease in which the parathyroid gland secretes too much PTH.  Blood calcium levels soar  Life threatening  Can kill in an average of 20 years

 Symptoms  Constipation  Lethargy  Muscle weakness  Muscle spasms  Osteoporosis  Coma  Death

 A rare condition in which body secretes low levels of PTH  Low production of PTH ultimately leads to low ionized levels of calcium in blood  Also causes increased levels of phosphorous  Lethal if not treated

 Hypocalcemia  Increased neuromuscular irritability  Muscles spasms  Convulsions  Seizures  Tingling sensations  Painful menstruation  death

 Hyperparathyroidism is very curable if dealt with correctly  Surgeries are available  Cure rates are usually in the % range  Hypoparathyroidism is not curable by surgery  Pills and other supplements are available  Patients must take these supplements often times throughout their life

 Anthony’s Textbook of Anatomy & Physiology  m m  conditions/hypoparathyroidism/basics/definit ion/con conditions/hypoparathyroidism/basics/definit ion/con  oidism/article.htm oidism/article.htm