Endocrine - Parathyroid Development
Introduction
The parathyroid gland appears in the adult as a pair of inferior and a pair of superior "bumps" on the beside the (dorsal) thyroid (hence the name, "para"). The embryonic origin of this gland is from the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches endoderm, and could also have ectoderm and neural crest contributions.
At 6 weeks a diverticulum elongates from the pouch, initially hollow and then solidifynig with cell proliferation.
Interestingly, the inferior parathyroid originates from the third pharyngeal pouch and the superior arises from the fourth pharyngeal pouch, the adult anatomical position is the opposite of the pharyngeal rostro-caudal order. This occurs due to the third pharyngeal pouch also giving rise to the thymus, the superior pair descend along with the thymus.
The fetal parathyroids appear functional as they respond to calcium levels. The fetal calcium levels also higher than maternal levels.
| Lecture - Head Development | original page
- Parathyroid Hormone - Increase calcium ions [Ca2+], stimulates osteoclasts, increase Ca GIT absorption (opposite effect to calcitonin)
- Adult Calcium and Phosphate - Daily turnover in human with dietary intake of 1000 mg/day
- secreted by chief cells
Principal cells cords of cells
Development Overview
- Endoderm - third and fourth pharyngeal pouches, could also have ectoderm and neural crest
- 3rd Pharyngeal Pouch - inferior parathyroid, initially descends with thymus
- 4th Pharyngeal Pouch - superior parathyroid
- Week 6 - diverticulum elongate, hollow then solid, dorsal cell proliferation
- Fetal parathyroids - respond to calcium levels, fetal calcium levels higher than maternal
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, June 18) Embryology Endocrine - Parathyroid Development. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Endocrine_-_Parathyroid_Development
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G