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parathyroid
[C] Countable
pl: parathyroids
This term is strictly clinical and anatomical, carrying a neutral, scientific connotation. It is almost exclusively used in medical contexts, such as endocrinology or surgery, to describe the specific biological mechanism of calcium homeostasis. Because these glands are tiny and often embedded within the thyroid, the word often appears in discussions regarding hyperparathyroidism or hypoparathyroidism, where the focus is on the hormonal imbalance rather than the physical organ itself.
Countable when referring to the individual glands in the body, typically four small nodules.