Parathyroid

Introduction

The parathyroid glands are uniquely charged with control of calcium homeostasis through the production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) which is active at the level of the bones, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Disorders involving the parathyroid gland may include benign sporadic or inherited conditions of overfunction (hyperparathyroidism) and rare malignant conditions of overfunction (parathyroid cancer). Hypoparathyroidism, or low parathyroid activity may occur through iatrogenic injury, or as a rare idiopathic condition thought to involve an autoimmune process.