Gland, thyroid
The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck below the Adam's apple. It is wrapped around the windpipe (the trachea) and has the shape of a butterfly, since it is formed by two wings (lobes) which are attached by a middle part. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. The thyroid makes and stores these hormones that help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make several of its hormones.
Medical dictionary.
2011.