Parasympathetic nervous system
The part of the involuntary nervous system that serves to slow the heart rate, increase intestinal and glandular activity, and relax the sphincter muscles. The parasympathetic nervous system, together with the sympathetic nervous system, constitutes the autonomic nervous system.
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- Parathormone
A hormone that is made by the parathyroid glands and is critical to maintaining calcium and phosphorus balance. Deficiency of parathormone results in abnormally low calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). Excessive parathormone leads to elevated calcium levels in the blood and calcium deposition in cartilage. Also known as parathyroid hormone and parathyrin.
- Parathyroid adenoma
A small tumor of the parathyroid gland and the most common disorder of the gland. Parathyroid adenomas are benign (NOT malignant). The gland increases in size and produces PTH in excess. This is called primary hyperparathyroidism. In most cases, patients are unaware of the tumors, and they are found when a patient’s routine blood test […]
- Parathyroid gland
A gland that regulates calcium, located behind the thyroid gland in the neck. The parathyroid gland secretes a hormone called parathormone (or parathyrin) that is critical to calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Although the number of parathyroid glands can vary, most people have four, one above the other on each side. They are plastered against the […]
- Parathyroidectomy
Surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands. Parathyroidectomy is usually done to treat hyperparathyroidism. Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most common disorder of the parathyroid glands, and is characterized by an elevation in the blood levels of calcium, loss of calcium from the bones, and an elevation of the parathyroid hormone level (PTH). […]
- Parenchyma
The key elements of an organ essential to its functioning, as distinct from the capsule that encompasses it and other supporting structures.