Thyroid Accessory Glands

The accessory thyroid gland (g.thyroideaeaccessoriae) is an additional gland that is located in the thyroid gland and is not part of it. It can be located either in front or behind the thyroid gland and can have different shapes and sizes.

The functions of the accessory thyroid gland include regulating metabolism and producing hormones that affect the growth and development of the body. An enlarged thyroid gland can be associated with various diseases, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and others.

Accessory thyroid glands can be detected during an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland. If they are detected, then additional research must be carried out to determine the cause of their occurrence. Treatment may include removal of the thyroid gland if necessary.

In general, the thyroid accessory glands are an important part of the endocrine system and should be studied and diagnosed to prevent possible complications.

Accessory thyroid glands The gland belongs to the endocrine system, its role in the human body can hardly be overestimated. It synthesizes and releases hormones into the blood and tissue fluid, which take an active part in all vital processes occurring in the human body. In a normal state, in adults this gland is only the thyroid gland, the size of which is individual for each person. It is a round or ellipse-shaped organ located at the back of the neck. Some people experience a pathology such as the presence of an accessory thyroid gland that has reached a normal state. The pathology is called:

* **Dystopia of organ tissue.** That is, it grows unevenly along the neck or under it. This formation acquires an increased ability to secrete thyroxine, which is fraught with the development of metabolic disorders and hormonal imbalance. In addition, the newly formed tissue may be too large, compressing the trachea and causing suffocation;

**Giant in size** (from 4 cm in width) gland, prone to frequent twisting in the neck; * Violation of secretion outflow. In this case, laryngeal stenosis periodically develops, manifested by hoarseness. The liquid component of the gland is partially located in the mediastinum and compresses the diaphragm; * Tumors, cysts. They are usually diagnosed accidentally during an annual preventive examination of the ENT organs. An accurate diagnosis is made using ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland and radiography of the neck.

Do giant glands arise due to pathologies? Most often (about 70% of all cases) the formation of additional components of the thyroid gland is observed in young people. The causes of such anomalies in children and adolescents have not been established. However, there is a group of factors that contribute to the formation of non-standard pathology in adults. These include: * Depletion of the bloodstream of the thyroid gland due to hemorrhages or congenital disorders of the cardiovascular system. Vascular abnormalities