What is the thyroid?
The thyroid gland is located on the anterior aspect (front) of the neck. It can be felt just below the thyroid cartilage, or “Adam’s apple”. It is a butterfly shaped organ that stretches across the midline of the neck just below the Adam’s apple, with its “wings” spreading superiorly (towards the head) on either side of the Adam’s apple. These “wings” are called the lobes of the thyroid, with the portion extending across midline called the isthmus. As an endocrine gland, the thyroid gland produces and secretes thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. The thyroid does this as a response to a hormone produced by the pituitary gland called thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH. When the thyroid gland is “turned on” by TSH, it increases its uptake of iodine, which is required to make thyroid hormone, and manufactures and secretes thyroid hormones.
The thyroid (say: thi-royd) is a gland, which is an organ where special chemicals are produced. These chemicals are called hormones (say: hor-moans). The major hormones that the thyroid makes and releases into the bloodstream are called T4 or thyroxine (say: thi-rocks-in) and T3 or triiodothyronine (say: tri-eye-o-doe-thi-row-neen). All the cells in the body need thyroid hormones to work properly. These hormones control how fast the body uses up energy. They are also key factors in helping kids grow. The thyroid is shaped like a little butterfly or bow tie and it sits under the skin in the front of your neck. To find it, touch your throat in the Adam’s apple area with one finger and the top of your breastbone (the flat bone that runs down the middle of your chest) with another finger. The thyroid is in that small space in between your fingers. (And it bobs up and down when you swallow. See if you can feel it!) The thyroid works like the thermostat in your house.
