Beginner Parathyroid Glands Quiz

Q1. How many parathyroid glands are most commonly present?

• One
• Four
• Eight in every person
• Two

Q2. Where are the parathyroid glands usually located?

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

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

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

Q4. Which hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands?

• Calcitonin
• Thyroxine
• Aldosterone
• Parathyroid hormone

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q8. Which parathyroid pair generally shows greater positional variability?

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

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

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

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

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