Gross And Clinical

Anatomy Of Thyroid
Gland
Thyroid Gland
• A butterfly-shaped organ, the
thyroid gland is located anterior
to the trachea, just inferior to the
larynx
• Extends from C5-T1, with each
lobe extends from middle thyroid
cartilage to 4th or 5th tracheal
ring
• The isthmus covers the 2nd and
3rd tracheal rings
• Capsules :
- Inner true; surrounded by fibrous
stroma of the gland
- Outer false; Pretracheal fascia
Development
• The thyroid originates from two main structures: the primitive
pharynx (forms the median thyroid) and the neural crest (forms the
rudimentary lateral thyroid)
• The thyroid gland forms as a proliferation of endodermal epithelial
cells on the median surface of the developing pharyngeal floor
• The site of this development = foramen cecum
• Descends in front of pharyngeal gut as a bilobed diverticulum
• Remains connected to the tongue by thyroglossal duct
• Reaches final position at 7th week, functions at the end of 3rd month
Vasculature
• Arterial blood: • Venous blood:
1) Superior throid arteries (from 1) Superior thyroid veins (into IJV)
ECA) 2) Middle thyroid veins (into IJV)
2) Inferior thyroid arteries (from 3) Inferior thyroid veins
thyrocervical trunk) (brachiocephalic veins)
3) Thyroid ima artery (from
brachiocephalic trunk, about 10%
of adults)
• Innervation:
• The thyroid gland is innervated
by branches of sympathetic
trunk.
• However, release of hormones is
regulated by pituitary gland.
• Lymphatic drainage:
• Multidirectional and extensive.
• It drains initially into peri-thyroid
nodes.
• And from there into
prelaryngeal, pretracheal and
paratracheal nodes.
• Laterally, the gland drains into
the superior and inferior deep
cervical nodes.
Relations to thyroid gland
• Anterior: * Clinical Relevance
- Pretracheal fascia They pass underneath the thyroid gland
- Sternohyoid to innervate the larynx.
- Sternothyroid
During surgery on the thyroid gland, care
must be taken not to ligate or damage
Medially:
the recurrent laryngeal nerves.
- Larynx and trachea
- Esophagus
- R & L recurrent laryngeal nerves*

Posterior:
- Prevertebral fascia
- Carotid sheath