An endocrine glandular system is a system of glands which is said to perform direct secretion of hormone produced to the blood stream. One gland which is classified as under endocrine glandular system is the thyroid gland. Knowing its anatomical description as well as its physiologic description gives a clearer view of what is thyroid gland.
It is important to know what is thyroid gland as problems relating to the said gland is common with the highest prevalence to women compared to males, although, males are still susceptible to thyroid problems just like women.
Under activity of the said gland due to insufficient supply of Iodine is said to be common in third world countries or the developing nations. The possible believed cause was said to be due to the insufficient diet of people living under developing countries. The poor living condition of the people under such poor nations as well as the lack of educational background about what is thyroid gland were said to have been the main cause of its increased incidence of individuals with thyroid problems.
Additionally, the lack of medical practitioners to check on patients with such health problems and as well as the people believed to be potentially at high risk of concocting thyroid gland disorder were said to have contributed to its population count with thyroid gland disorder. Enough ratio of patient and doctor or medical health worker that could shed light on what is thyroid gland and the posed threat of gland’s disorder problem along with the possible preventive measures to take may significantly make a dramatic decrease in the developing nation’s health problem related with thyroid function.
Anatomical Description
Thyroid gland is said to be one of the large sized gland under endocrine glandular system. It is located in the neck region inferiorly situated below thyroid cartilaginous part of the larynx, where the former is popularly known as the “Adams Apple”.
It is of butterfly form and comprises of 2 cone shaped lobules, right lobule termed as “dexter” and the left lobule termed “sinister” linked together via an isthmic structure. Bordering demarcation between top and bottom lobule is tough as the lobules similarly move when one swallows. However, with pregnant females the gland is said to appear markedly prominent.
Function
The gland serves to regulate metabolism which is related with entire physical growing process including the reproductive system such as menstruation and ovulating as well as sex developmental process, cellular replication and oxygenation and protein and calcium metabolism.
Arterial blood supplied by: greater thyroid arterial vessel and the lesser thyroid arterial vessel.
Veins drain via: Greater thyroid venous vessel into interior jugular venous vessel and via lesser thyroid venous vessel.
Lymph draining path: via laterally located deep cervical lymphatic nodules.
Nerve supply: parasympathetic nerves
Problems Associated with Thyroid Gland
Hyperthyroidism – refers to an over active thyroid gland which is abnormal from its standard physiologic function. It is said that there is shooting up of hormonal level of T3 and T4, which is said to be prevalent in Grave’s disease. The said illness may cause “toxic goiter” resulting from abnormal growing of the thyroid gland.
Presenting Manifestations:
Goiter
Exophthalmic eyes
Heart palpitation
Hyperhidrosis
Loose bowel movement
Significant decrease in body weight
Muscular tiredness or lethargy
Hypersensitive to warm environmental temperatures
Marked food craving
Tachycardia
Tremor
Anxiousness
Hypothyroidism – refers to under active thyroid gland, wherein, there is presence of low hormonal level of T3 and T4. It is said to also take place in congenitally abnormal autoimmune system such as in iodine deficiency or completely removing the thyroid gland in surgical procedure. Thyroid disorder due to insufficient Iodine causes inability of gland to create T3 and T4 hormone resulting to increase growth of the gland forming a toxicity free goiter as it does not brought dangerous hormonal level even with the significant growth of the said gland.
Presenting Manifestations:
Abnormality in weight increment
Lethargy
Alopecia
Low tolerance to cool temperatures
Decrease heart rate