ABSTRACT
Parathyroid glands are endocrine glands situated in the neck, regulating the levels of calcium in the body, by the production of parathyroid hormone. These glands are usually four in number and are subject to anatomical variations in positions ranging from the neck to the mediastinum, because of its embryological descent. Parathyroid tumors lead to hyperparathyroidism which can be asymptomatic in the Western world whereas is predominantly symptomatic in Asia. Hyperplasia, especially renal hyperparathyroidism (common in Asia), and carcinomas also cause hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid tumors and hyperplasias develop either sporadically or as a result of genetic mutations or aberrations in molecular pathways involved in tumorigenesis. In this chapter, we discuss briefly the anatomy, physiology, pathology and molecular pathogenesis of parathyroid tumors.
