ABSTRACT
The anatomy of the parathyroid glands is predicted partially by embryology and partially by the effect of increasing mass and deglutition. The thymus is derived from the pouch and migrates with the inferior parathyroid glands to the mediastinum. The inferior parathyroid glands tend to lie superficial to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and are usually located around the inferior pole of the thyroid gland, though their ectopic location can be anywhere from the angle of the mandible to the chest, including the retro-oesophagus. Calcium-sensing receptors exist on the cell surface of the parathyroid glands. A fall in serum calcium stimulates parathyroid hormone secretion. Parathyroid hormone secretion mobilises calcium from the skeleton by promoting bone resorption. Imaging primarily aims to localise the pathologic parathyroid glands prior to surgical intervention. Medical management of inoperable parathyroid carcinoma includes calcimimetics and bisphosphonates. Hypoparathyroidism is most frequently iatrogenic as a result of thyroid surgery.
