Where Is The Thyroid Gland?

The Thyroid gland is one of the endocrine glands in the human body situated in the lower part of the neck above the collar bone and beneath the larynx (voicebox). It is situated on the front side of the neck over the trachea (windpipe), resembling a butterfly, divided in to two lobes on either side of the trachea that meet at the thyroid isthmus; in males the thyroid gland can be felt by doctors by touching the throat below the Adam's apple projection.

The thyroid is larger in size as compared to other endocrine glands with each lobe measuring about 4 cm while its width is about 2 cm. The function of the gland is to secrete thyroid hormones which are derived mainly from iodine and which help in regulating the various metabolic processes of the body like the absorption of various nutrients like for example calcium by the bones.

The secretion of the hormones by the thyroid gland is regulated by the secretions of the pituitary gland situated at the base of the brain which in turn is controlled by the hypothalamus located deep in the cranial cavity. Diseases associated with the thyroid gland are related to intake of iodine resulting in under activity (hypothyroidism) and over activity (hyperthyroidism) leading to various conditions like for example goitre which is in most cases an indication of hypothyroidism.