(noun. /THIGH-royd gland/)
by Madison Williams
What does it mean?
The thyroid gland is a large, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that helps regulate growth and metabolism. The thyroid gland does this by secreting 3 different hormones: T3, T4, and calcitonin. T3 and T4 increase metabolism, promote growth in children, and can improve concentration and reflexes. Calcitonin regulates levels of calcium in the body. This gland is very important for our bodies to function each day.
How do I use it in a sentence?
“A blood test can be done to measure levels of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland.”
Related terms:
endocrine
hormone
metabolism
Fields of study in which this word is commonly used:
Biology
Physiology
Endocrinology
Medicine
