Thyroglossal Duct

The thyroglossal duct, also known as the Hisal canal, is a canal connecting the thyroid gland and the tongue. It passes through the neck and ends at the tip of the tongue, where it opens into the mouth. The thyroglossal duct is part of the circulatory system and plays an important role in metabolism and language development.

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones that regulate metabolism in the body. Thyroid hormones are essential for normal development and functioning of the body, including tissue growth and development, and metabolism. The thyroid duct transports thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland to the rest of the body through the blood.

The Hisal canal passes through the thyroid-lingual membrane, which separates the front of the neck from the back. The canal is about 4 cm long and passes through the thyroid gland, tongue and pharynx. The Hisal canal has muscular walls that help it contract and move thyroid hormones throughout the body.

The thyroid-lingual duct plays an important role not only in the transport of thyroid hormones, but also in the development and functioning of the tongue. The Hisal canal is involved in the formation of the structure and function of the tongue, determining its shape and size. In addition, the thyroglossal duct is also a channel for the passage of food and liquid, ensuring a continuous flow of these substances into the body.

In humans, the thyroid-lingual canal may be abnormally located or absent. This can lead to various diseases such as hypothyroidism or hypoplasia of the thyroid gland. The presence of thyroglossal duct abnormalities can be diagnosed using ultrasound or MRI. Treatment of thyroid-lingual duct abnormalities depends on the type and severity of the disease.

In conclusion, the thyroglossal duct is an important channel that transports thyroid hormones and is involved in the development and function of the tongue.



The thyroid-lingual (his) canal lies inward from the lateral wall of the pharynx. It connects the anterior surface of the thyroid gland and the anterior third of the tongue. On the mucosal side, it is covered with a thin layer of squamous epithelium. The canal wall consists of three layers: the muscular layer, the fibrous membrane and the mucous membrane. The canal crosses the pharynx at the level of the junction of the bodies of the first and second cartilages (the pyramidal tract is located in front).

The canal opens into the oral cavity with a large hole that lies on the surface of the hyoid bone and the middle section (s. intermedia) of the tongue. Starting from the thyroid-lingual canal, the latter is divided into paired dorsal (Sons') glands running in both directions and a lingual canal (usually unpaired), which in front of the middle third of the body of the tongue turns at a right angle to the medial (receptive) surface (when turning swallowed pieces of meat or bones, their top layer swells within 5-8 minutes). The small excretory ducts of the first two sections open into the edge of the external opening (at the medial surface), and the small excretory ducts of the lingual canal open into the floor of the oral cavity at the intersection of its fibrous layer with the muscle layer.



The thyroid lingual duct or ductus thyrioglossus is a unique anatomical formation that connects the thyroid gland to the mucous membrane of the mouth and tongue. It is a derivative of the foregut and develops in the embryo in the tenth week of its development. The length of the duct can vary between individuals, with an average of 12 to 18 mm. The duct is formed at a certain stage of fetal development, and as the body grows, it may change slightly and even disappear, which is the cause of variability in the length of the duct.

Education and structure. Normally, the thyroid-lingual duct does not contain thyroid tissue, but can form small accumulations in the posterior part at the level of the third cleista, where it merges with the acute tongue and descends into the skull. Some people have a longer duct that runs through their tongue, connecting with the tissue of the tongue and down into the pharynx. However, sometimes there is hyperophy of the gland in this area, which causes an increase in its length and width and splitting. This fact can lead to a decrease in the volume of the hole itself, which causes drainage disturbances that provoke the development of various diseases. As a rule, such structural changes are accompanied by disruption of the functioning of organs or the system as a whole. In addition, this type of gland can be in a state associated with increased activity of its elements or the proliferation of abnormal cells - gyreotoxicosis, increased concentration of thyroxine, thyroiditis.

Thyroid prolapse (displacement) is a rare disease. Ducts are a congenital defect when their length is significantly greater than normal. This complicates the process of processing hormones and regulates muscle tone. The body becomes unbalanced. A person feels constant fatigue, drowsiness, and increased irritability. As a result, performance decreases. The alkaline environment of the stomach penetrates beyond the duct and irritation of the digestive system and small intestines occurs. An inflammatory process occurs, which worsens over time, and an ulcer or erosion appears. An atrophied or empty duct inhibits the normal absorption of nutrients found in food. Chronic gastroduodenitis develops with impaired passage. This complex pathological process begins to progress in the absence of timely treatment.