Parathormone is a hormone sectreted
by the parathyroid
gland - which is part of the thyroid
/ parathyroid gland located
in the neck.
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Parathormone is:
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Associated
with the growth of muscle and bone.
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Responsible for the distribution
of calcium and phosphate in the body.
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The consequences
of both excessive quantities of parathormone in the body
(hyper-), and insufficient parathormone in the body (hypo-),
are
summarised below:
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Hyper- Causes
transfer of calcium from the bones to the blood; bones become fragile & easily
broken; osteoporosis.
(Parathormone activity is inhibited by oestrogen.) |
Hypo- Lowers
blood calcium levels, causing tetany (which may be treated by injections of the
hormone); low calcium levels in skeletal muscle (which may cause cramps).
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