Hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

Parathyroid glands are small, oval-shaped tan glands, lying posterior to the thyroid, and often numbering 4 (90.6%), but 5 (5.1%), and 3 (0.6%) can occur. The superior parathyroid glands arise from the 4th pharyngeal pouch, whilst the inferior arise from the 3rd pharyngeal pouch; and they progress caudally with the thymus. The inferior glands are much more variable in position then the superior.