Editing Parathyroid (section)

== '''Gross anatomy''' ==

* Oval, spherical or bean-shaped
* Vary in colour from 'London tan' to reddish-brown
** Colour affected by the amount of fat, so become more yellow/tan in older patients - fat makes up 60% of gland volume in old age
** When bruised they can turn brown or purple
* On average 5x3x2mm in size and weight 35 to 40mg (average combined weight of the four glands is 120mg)
* Typically surrounded by adipose tissue anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly. The fat is softer, paler and straw-coloured
* Vascular pedicle is medial