What is a parathyroid gland and where is it located?

Neck: The parathyroid glands are diffierent than the thyroid gland (they share part of the name but their functions are very diffierent). There are 4 parathyroid glands. They are usually located on the back of the thyroid gland but they can also be located around the jaw and neck as well.

Neck endocrine gland: 2 pair of very small glands located in the neck and surrounded by thyroid tissue. They control calcium metabolism. Hyperparathyroidism can cause deposition of calcium in tissues as well as cause kidney stones. Parathormone levels also rise with kidney failure and thus is measured in both conditions. Location is only feature that parathyroid gland and thyroid gland have in common.

Endocrine gland: Usually two glands on each side, upper and lower. Upper may go lower and behind the thyroid gland. Lower may go lower and in front into the thymus. That's why experienced surgeon needed to operate for this problem.