parathyroid gland

noun

, Anatomy.

1. any of several small oval glands usually lying near or embedded in the thyroid gland.

parathyroid gland

noun

1. any one of the small egg-shaped endocrine glands situated near or embedded within the thyroid gland: they secrete parathyroid hormone

parathyroid gland

/ păr′ə-thī′roid /

1. Any of four kidney-shaped glands located behind or within the thyroid gland of many vertebrate animals.
2. ◆ The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone, which regulates the amount of calcium in the blood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parathyroid gland¹

First recorded in 1900–05