Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies in front of the windpipe (trachea), just below the voice box (larynx). The thyroid gland uses iodine from food to make two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid gland stores these hormones and releases them as they are needed.

Thyroid Gland

Thyroid gland and its location in the body

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies in front of the windpipe (trachea), just below the voice box (larynx). The thyroid gland uses iodine from food to make two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid gland stores these hormones and releases them as they are needed.

Current as ofDecember 19, 2018

Author: Healthwise Staff
E. Gregory Thompson, MD – Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD – Family Medicine
Matthew I. Kim, MD – Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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