Thyroid gland

by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
April 27, 2022

What is the thyroid gland?

The thyroid is a U-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. The normal thyroid gland is divided into right and left lobes that are connected in the middle by the isthmus. Some people also have another small lobe above the isthmus called the pyramidal lobe.

What does the thyroid gland do?

The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones and calcitonin. Most of the cells in the thyroid gland are called follicular cells. The follicular cells connect together to form small round structures called follicles. Thyroid hormone is stored in a material called colloid which fills the center of follicles. Calcitonin is made by small groups of specialized C cells scattered throughout the thyroid gland.