Details
Thyroid Gland
This specimen shows the thyroid gland and the structures related to it.
The thyroid gland is a brownish-red and highly vascular endocrine gland, placed in the lower part of the neck. It is covered by a true capsule (made up of the condensation of the glandular connective) and a false capsule (made up of the pre-tracheal layer of deep fascia of the neck). It is made up of the right lobe and the left lobe, connected with each other by the isthmus. The two lobes are conical in shape. Their apices are directed upwards onto the laminae of the thyroid cartilage. Their bases reach up to the level of the fourth or the fifth tracheal cartilages. The thyroid gland secretes hormones such as thyroxine and triiodothyronine, that is required for the growth of bones. Deficiency of Iodine leads to a clinical condition known as goiter. In this condition, the thyroid gland enlarges and can be seen as a midline swelling in front of the neck. The thyroid gland is supplied by the superior thyroid artery and vein and the inferior thyroid artery and vein. The cricoid cartilage and the trachea can also be identified.
Thyroid cartilage:
The thyroid cartilage is a shield-like, unpaired cartilage of the larynx. It is made up of two laminae, which unite to form the thyroid angle (Adam’s apple) in the midline of the neck.
Superior thyroid artery and vein:
The superior thyroid artery is a branch of the External carotid artery. It accompanies the External laryngeal nerve towards, the apex of the lobe of the thyroid gland. The superior thyroid vein drains the venous blood of the thyroid gland into the Internal jugular vein.
Cricoid cartilage:
The cricoid cartilage is a signet-ring shaped, unpaired cartilage of the larynx. It is narrow anteriorly and broad posteriorly. It forms a medial relation of the thyroid gland.
Trachea:
Larynx continues downwards as the trachea. Trachea is also known as the wind pipe. It transmits inhaled air to the lungs. It is made up of the C-shaped hyaline cartilaginous rings. These cartilaginous rings keep the lumen of the trachea open always.
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