Endocrine

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped gland located in the front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. It produces thyroid hormone which is used by the body to regulate many functions including metabolic rate, body weight, body temperature, heart rate, growth, mental alertness, and brain, muscle and nerve health. Thyroid hormone production depends heavily on dietary iodine intake.

The parathyroid glands are yellow, split pea-size glands that sit behind the thyroid gland in the neck. They produce parathyroid hormone that is involved in regulation of the calcium level in the blood. Uncommonly, one or more parathyroid glands are not behind the thyroid and are be located in a variety of places in the neck or upper chest.

The adrenal glands are small, yellow, triangular shaped glands that sit on top of the kidneys. The produce a variety of hormones that are involved in the regulation of a wide variety of functions in the body. These hormones include cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline.