parathyroid gland

noun

: any of usually four small endocrine glands that are adjacent to or embedded in the thyroid gland and produce parathyroid hormone

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web But the most common cause is an overactive parathyroid gland in a condition known as hyperparathyroidism. —

Damon Tweedy, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2017 Doctors were able to schedule Bersten for a two-hour surgery to remove his left parathyroid gland the next day. —

Korin Miller, SELF, 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parathyroid gland.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of parathyroid gland was in 1895

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Dictionary Entries Near parathyroid gland

parathyroidectomy

parathyroid gland

parathyroid hormone

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Parathyroid gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parathyroid%20gland. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023.

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Kids Definition

parathyroid gland

noun

: any of usually four small endocrine glands next to or located in the thyroid gland that produce parathyroid hormone

Medical Definition

parathyroid gland

noun

: any of usually four small endocrine glands that are adjacent to or embedded in the thyroid gland, are composed of irregularly arranged secretory epithelial cells lying in a stroma rich in capillaries, and produce parathyroid hormone