parathyroid gland

noun Anatomy.

1. any of several small oval glands usually lying near or embedded in the thyroid gland.

noun

1. any one of the small egg-shaped endocrine glands situated near or embedded within the thyroid gland: they secrete parathyroid hormone

n.

1. Any of usually four small kidney-shaped glands that lie in pairs near or within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland and secrete a hormone necessary for the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.

1. Any of four kidney-shaped glands located behind or within the thyroid gland of many vertebrate animals.♦ The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone, which regulates the amount of calcium in the blood.