Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The thyroid gland lies in the neck, in front of the upper part of the trachea.  Two types of hormones are produced, which are the iodine containing hormones; '''tri-iodothyronine'''(T3) and '''thyroxine''' (T4). Thyroid hormones regulate the basal metabolic rate and are important in the regulation of growth of tissues, particularly nervous tissue. Release stimulated by TSH from the pituitary. The second type of hormone produced from the thyroid gland is '''[[calcitonin]]''', which regulates blood calcium levels along with parathyroid hormone and acts to reduce blood calcium by inhibiting its removal from bone.   

The thyroid gland lies in the neck, in front of the upper part of the trachea.  Two types of hormones are produced, which are the iodine containing hormones; '''tri-iodothyronine'''(T3) and '''thyroxine''' (T4). Thyroid hormones regulate the basal metabolic rate and are important in the regulation of growth of tissues, particularly nervous tissue. Release stimulated by TSH from the pituitary. The second type of hormone produced from the thyroid gland is '''[[calcitonin]]''', which regulates blood calcium levels along with parathyroid hormone and acts to reduce blood calcium by inhibiting its removal from bone.   

== Embryological Origin ==

== Embryological Origin ==

The thyroid gland is a downgrowth from the pharyngeal endoderm of the developing [[Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]]. The calcitonin producing cells are different and are derived from the fourth branchial pouch.  

The thyroid gland is a downgrowth from the pharyngeal endoderm of the developing [[Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]]. The calcitonin producing cells are different and are derived from the fourth branchial pouch.  

===Ultrastructure and Histology===

===Ultrastructure and Histology===

The gland consists of varying sized follicles, which are bounded by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells ('''follicular cells'''} and a basement membrane, surrounding a central lumen filled with a homogenous protein rich colloid (thyrogloblin). The apical surface of the cell membranes is covered with numerous micovilli to increase surface area. The follicular cells are connected by tight junctions, and have a dense capillary network. The colloid is a store of thyroid hormones prior to secretion.  The thyroid gland is the only endocrine gland to store its hormone in large quantities. In the active gland colloid is diminished and epithelial cells are tall and columnar.   

The gland consists of varying sized follicles, which are bounded by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells ('''follicular cells'''} and a basement membrane, surrounding a central lumen filled with a homogenous protein rich colloid (thyrogloblin). The apical surface of the cell membranes is covered with numerous micovilli to increase surface area. The follicular cells are connected by tight junctions, and have a dense capillary network. The colloid is a store of thyroid hormones prior to secretion.  The thyroid gland is the only endocrine gland to store its hormone in large quantities. In the active gland colloid is diminished and epithelial cells are tall and columnar.