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Parathyroid Glands: Historical Review

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Parathyroid Gland Disorders

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Abstract

Because of their unique anatomical features, the parathyroid glands (PTGs) were the last of the endocrine glands to be discovered, which greatly hindered proper treatment until the first decades of the twentieth century. This chapter describes the long journey traveled to reach the present stage of knowledge regarding PTG discovery and anatomy, parathyroid function and relation to calcium, conduction of parathyroid surgery, hyperparathyroidism (diagnosis and treatment), parathyroid hormone extraction and assays, as well as the technological advances and developments that took place in the last three decades. These advances greatly facilitated localization of the PTGs and conduction of parathyroidectomy, minimally invasive procedures, and parathyroid transplantation. Still, however, an experienced and dedicated surgeon is essential to the excellence of treatment and optimization of outcome.

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  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt

    Mahmoud F. Sakr

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Sakr, M.F. (2022). Parathyroid Glands: Historical Review. In: Parathyroid Gland Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07418-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07418-9_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-07417-2

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