Thyroid gland

Definition

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the front part of the neck below the Adam's apple, responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, energy generation, and body temperature. It releases triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which play key roles in the body's metabolic processes.

Related terms

Metabolism:

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms needed for energy generation and use.

Hormones:

Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that are transported by the bloodstream to target organs or tissues to elicit specific biological responses.

Hypothyroidism:

A condition characterized by an underactive thyroid gland, leading to a decrease in hormone production and slowing down bodily functions