Which nerve pierces the thyroid gland?
High-Yield Explanation
Ans. C Recurrent laryngeal nerveRef: BDC, Vol: 3 pg. 171, 172,173, 176.* It is recurrent laryngeal nerve that pierces the thyroid gland.Must know about Thyroid* The gland consists of 2 lobes that are joined to each other by the isthmus* The gland extends against vertebrae C5, C6, C7 and T1* It weighs about 25 g.* The thyroid gland is supplied by the superior and inferior thyroid arteries.# The superior thyroid artery is the first anterior branch of the external carotid artery.# The inferior thyroid artery is a branch of thyro cervical trunk* Nerve supply# Nerves are derived mainly from the middle cervical ganglion and partly also from the superior and inferior cervical ganglia.* It is made of following two types of Secretory cells# Folicular cells lining the follicles of the gland secrete T3 and T4.# Parafollicular cells (C cells) are fewer and lie in between the follicles. They secrete thyrocalcitonin.Extra MileWhat is the function of thyrocalcitonin?* It promotes deposition of calcium salts in skeletal and other tissues, and tends to produce hypocalcemia.