Beginner Parathyroid Glands Quiz

Q1. How many parathyroid glands are most commonly present?

• Two
• Eight in every person
• One
• Four

Q2. Where are the parathyroid glands usually located?

• Inside the pituitary gland
• Within the parotid glands
• Anterior surface of the trachea below the sternum
• Posterior aspect of the thyroid lobes

Q3. What are the two usual pairs of parathyroid glands called?

• Superior and inferior parathyroid glands
• Anterior and posterior thyroid glands
• Superficial and deep pituitary glands
• Medial and lateral adrenal glands

Q4. Which hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands?

• Aldosterone
• Thyroxine
• Calcitonin
• Parathyroid hormone

Q5. Which cells are the principal source of parathyroid hormone?

• Chromaffin cells
• Chief cells
• Parafollicular cells
• Follicular cells

Q6. What is the overall effect of parathyroid hormone on blood calcium concentration?

• It increases blood calcium concentration
• It converts calcium directly into phosphate
• It lowers blood calcium concentration
• It has no relationship to calcium

Q7. Which parathyroid pair generally has the more constant anatomical position?

• Inferior parathyroid glands
• Superior parathyroid glands
• Neither pair has a typical location
• Both pairs are always equally variable

Q8. Which parathyroid pair generally shows greater positional variability?

• Superior parathyroid glands
• Inferior parathyroid glands
• Both pairs are fixed within thyroid follicles
• Neither pair migrates during development

Q9. Which artery is the major source of blood supply to the parathyroid glands?

• Middle meningeal artery
• Facial artery
• Lingual artery
• Inferior thyroid artery

Q10. Why are the parathyroid glands important during thyroid surgery?

• They should be identified and preserved with their blood supply
• They are located too far from the thyroid to be affected
• They must always be removed with the thyroid
• They have no vascular relationship to thyroid surgery