Anatomical Variations of Parathyroid Glands and Their Clinical Impact

The morphologic study of parathyroid glands in surgical series, despite the inevitable subjectivity in identifying parathyroid glands, through a standard technique, introduces consistent criteria in identifying glands, being closer to surgical reality whose function it is. In fact we believe that surgical dissection, through gland visualization and identification, through a direct evaluation of anatomical relations with the nearby structures of the neck, is undisputable in data's provided and on measures to be undertaken to ensure a safe and successful thyroid and parathyroid surgery. In the recent study, parathyroid glands resulted characterized by a marked variability of shape, number and not only. It was subject of a substantial variability in location and also relations with several neighboring vasculo-nervous structures. The existence of a well-defined model of the anatomical distribution of the parathyroid glands, based on their embryonic development is clearly confirmed in this study. The general surgeon must be equipped with the necessary knowledge on anatomy of parathyroid glands, in order to provide a successful surgery and without complications.