Thyroid gland:Aglandthat makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate,blood pressure, bodytemperature, and the rate at whichfoodis converted into energy.Thyroid hormonesareessentialfor the function of everycellinthe body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism)在体内。Thyroidhormones also help children grow and develop.
Thethyroid glandis located in the lower part of theneck, below theAdam's apple, wrapped around thetrachea(windpipe). It has the shape of a butterfly: two wings (lobes) attached to one another by a middle part called the isthmus.
The thyroid usesiodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodizedsalt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones arethyroxine(T4) andtriiodothyronine(T3).促甲状腺激素(TSH), which is produced by thepituitary gland, acts to stimulatehormoneproduction by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland also makes the hormonecalcitonin, which is involved incalciummetabolism and stimulatingbonecells to add calcium to bone.
See also Calcitonin;Hyperthyroid; Hypothyroidism; Thyroid stimulating hormone; Thyroxine; Triiodothyronine.
