Thyroid

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple (the laryngeal prominence in men). It consists of two lobes on either side of the windpipe (trachea) that are connected by a narrow band of tissue called the isthmus.

The primary function of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones that regulate various metabolic processes in the body. The main hormone produced by the thyroid gland is thyroxine, also known as T4. This hormone plays a crucial role in controlling the body's metabolism, which includes how the body uses energy and regulates temperature.

In addition to T4, the gland also produces triiodothyronine (T3), which is a more active form of thyroid hormone. These hormones are essential for normal growth and development, especially in children, and they influence almost all of the body's organs and tissues.

The production of thyroid hormones is regulated by the pituitary gland in the brain, which releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroxine and triiodothyronine into the bloodstream.