Anatomy of the Thyroid Gland

Question 1

How many lobes does the thyroid consist of?

Answer 1

the thyroid consists of two lateral lobes, right lobe and left lobe

Question 2

What vertebral levels is the thyroid gland located between?

Answer 2

the thyroid gland is located between vertebral levels C5 and T1

Question 3

What does the isthmus of the thyroid gland lie anterior to?

Answer 3

the isthmus of the thyroid gland lies anteriorly to the 2nd and 3rd cartilages of the trachea.

Question 4

where are the parathyroid glands located?

Answer 4

The 4 parathyroid glands are located on the posterior surfaces of the thyroid gland lateral lobes.

Question 5

What is the pyramidal lobe a remnant of?

Answer 5

the pyramidal lobe is a remnant of the thyroglossal duct- pyramidal lobes most commonly originate from the left lateral lobe of the thyroid gland.

Question 6

What arteries supply the thyroid gland?

Answer 6

the thyroid gland is supplied by the superior thyroid artery and the inferior thyroid artery.

Question 7

What does the superior thyroid artery arise from?

Answer 7

the superior thyroid artery arises from the external carotid artery.

Question 8

What does the inferior thyroid artery arise from?

Answer 8

the inferior thyroid artery arises from the thyrocervical trunk (a branch of the subclavian artery)

Question 9

Describe venous drainage from the thyroid.

Answer 9

venous drainage from the thyroid is carries out by the superior, middle and inferior thyroid veins.
-the superior and middle thyroid veins drain into the internal jugular vein
-the inferior thyroid vein drains into the brachiocephalic vein

Question 10

describe the innervation of the thyroid.

Answer 10

-parasympathetic: vagus nerve
-sympathetic: sympathetic trunk