week 4, lecture 2 Flashcards
(153 cards)
what does the thyroid develop from in embryo?
Originates from the endodermal lining of the primitive pharynx
where does the thyroid develop at (embryo)
- The thyroid begins to develop as a pit at the base of the tongue in the midline (Foramen Cecum)
- Begins as a small endodermal thickening in the floor of the pharynx, near the base of the tongue.
- foramen cecum, between the 1st and 2nd pharyngeal pouches in the 3rd week
- Here is when the the thyroid diverticulum forms, which descends through the neck.
- The thyroid descends from the foramen cecum (at the tongue base) via the thyroglossal duct.
what week in embryo does the thyroid reach its final position in front of the trachea
7th week
what is the thyroid composed of
Thyroid develops into two lateral lobes connected by an isthmus.
what is the thyroglossal duct
- Temporary duct that connects the developing thyroid to the tongue.
- Normally, the duct disappears by the 10th week
- In some, the pyramidal lobe is an extension fo the duct
- but remnants of it can lead to thyroglossal duct cysts.
- 7% of the population has this. A Midline swelling can possibly be apparent
by the 7th week in embryo what happens
- the thyroid gland is in its final anatomical position.
- Anterior to the trachea and Below the larynx
what does the thyroid consist of
- Two lateral lobes * Isthmus
what does the thyroid look like
- Shaped kind of like a butterfly, the isthmus usually lies below the cricoid cartilage
▪ Right and left lobes, connected via the Isthmus
▪ In some individuals, a pyramidal lobe extends superiorly from the isthmus (remnant of the thyroglossal duct)
arterial supply for thyroid
- Superior thyroid artery (branch of external carotid artery). * Inferior thyroid artery (branch of subclavian artery).
venous drainage of thyroid
- Superior thyroid vein.
- Middle thyroid vein.
- Inferior thyroid vein
All drain into the SVC (superior vena cava) via the brachiocephalic trunk
what is a cricothyrotomy?
Cricothyrotomy is a “famous” urgent airway procedure
- Locate the junction of the cricoid and the thyroid cartilage
- Small incision provides quick and pretty save access to the trachea
- The thyroid is extraordinarily vascular – if one slices indiscriminately in this area, hemorrhages happen
what is the capsule of the thyroid
- The thyroid gland is enclosed by a thin fibrous capsule.
- This capsule serves both as a protective layer and as an anchor for the gland to nearby neck structures.
- The capsule is not just superficial—it sends septa (thin partitions) deep into the thyroid, dividing the gland into smaller lobules.
- This internal structure helps compartmentalize the tissue for efficient blood flow and hormone production.
- The capsule is also firmly attached to the cricoid cartilage and the upper part of the trachea
- The thyroid moves up and down when you swallow, a key clinical sign used during physical examination of the gland.
what is the thyroid made up of
thyroid follicles
The functional units responsible for hormone production.
A follicle is a spherical structure, typically surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells (known as follicular cells or thyrocytes).
what are thyroid follicles filled with
colloid (fluid) that contains pro hormone thyroglobulin
what are follicular cells responsible at synthesizing
synthesizing and secreting thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) via enzymes
what is in the parafollicular area
Between the follicles, in the interstitial spaces, are clusters of parafollicular cells (also called C cells).
what are parafollicular cells responsible for
These cells are responsible for producing calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption when calcium levels are high
what do parafollicular/ c cells produce? and why?
calcitonin
regulate calcium levels (inhibit bone resorption when calcium levels are high)
calcitonin is not directly involved in metabolic processes but plays a role in calcium homeostasis.
what happens to the follicular cells when they are inactive vs active
- Inactive: flat cells, lots of colloid
- Active: cells become cuboidal or columnar as they take up the colloid via “reabsorption lacunae”
- Fenestrated capillaries
what are the main ingredients to make thyroid homrone
tyrosine and iodine
what is produced in a high amount but less active and what is produced in low amounts but is more active ; t3 or t4
t4: * High amount is produced, but it is less active
t3: * Very little is produced, but it is VERY active
how can t4 be converted into t3
- Can be converted into T3 in the periphery by deiodination
(removal of iodine)
what is reverse t3
- Produced in the periphery; small amount; activity unclear
what are thyroid hormones the derivative of
tyrosine
- Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine.
- Tyrosine is an aromatic amino acid that forms the backbone of the thyroid hormones.