Thyroid

In anatomy, the thyroid is the largest endocrine gland in the body. It is situated on the front side of the neck at the level of C5 and T1 vertebral bodies, just below the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple), near the thyroid cartilage over the trachea but covered by layers of skin and muscle. The thyroid is quite large for an endocrine gland - 15-40 grams in adults- and butterfly-shaped: the wings correspond to the lobes and the body to the isthmus of the thyroid. Normally it is larger during menstruation and in pregnant women.

Diagnosis

The measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels is useful in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone deficiency), since TSH levels are often elevated before decreased levels of thyroid hormones T4 and T3 are detectable.

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