Thyroid Structure, Hormones, and Disorders

Thyroid gland location and gross shape

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, below the Adam’s apple, surrounding the upper trachea and larynx (cricoid and tracheal cartilages). It lies against and around the front of the larynx and trachea, with the trachea, larynx, lower pharynx, and esophagus positioned behind it. The gland is typically butterfly-shaped, consisting of two lobes (left and right) connected by a narrow band of tissue called the isthmus. Grossly, the thyroid is usually described as butterfly-shaped or H-shaped due to the two lobes and connecting isthmus. It weighs about 25 g in adults, with each lobe roughly 5 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 2 cm thick, and an isthmus about 1.25 cm in height and width. The thyroid commonly moves up and down with swallowing because of its attachments to the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. Variations in gross shape are common, including the presence of a pyramidal lobe (a remnant related to the thyroglossal duct) and other accessory or positional variants such as Zuckerkandl’s tubercle.

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Thyroid lobes, isthmus, and size

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