: 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 WebDoctors 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
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1895, in the meaning defined above
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