- H-shaped, highly vascular gland:
- Has two lateral lobes (left and right) approx. 4cm long and 2cm wide
- Isthmus bridging them approx. 3cm wide and 2cm high
- 50% of people have a pyramidal lobe arising from the superior isthmus directed upwards or to the left
- Located in the neck between C5 and T1 vertebrae:
- Anteriorly: platysma, sternothyroid, and sternohyoid muscles (strap muscles)
- Posteriorly: deep cervical fascia, condensing to form the Berry’s ligament which anchors it to the trachea at the first and second tracheal rings
- Laterally: overlaps the carotid sheath and its components
- Parathyroid glands located within the posterior surface of the lateral lobes:
- Usually four (two superior and two inferior)
- About the size of a grain of rice
