Abstract
Emil Theodor Kocher and Theodor Billroth pioneered the surgical management of thyroid disease. Their surgical techniques, knowledge of thyroid anatomy, embryology, histology, physiology, and antisepsis practices transitioned a life-threatening operation to one with acceptable morbidity. The modern head and neck surgeon should have a meticulous surgical technique, combined with a thorough understanding of thyroid embryology and anatomy that is central to the understanding and treatment of the different disease processes of the thyroid gland and the consequences of thyroid gland surgery. In this manuscript we will be examining thyroid gland embryology, anatomy, histology, and physiology that is essential to the practicing thyroid surgeon.
Highlights
The modern head and neck surgeon/endocrine surgeon/thyroid surgeon should have a complete understanding of the basic science behind the development of the thyroid and parathyroid glands as well as knowledge of the possible congenital abnormalities arising out of these glands, as they may impact the completeness of surgery as well as the complications of surgery
Jul. 16, 2018 clinical and overt hypothyroidism occurs in 4.6% to 9.5% [3] [4], whereas subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism occurs in 1.3% to 2.2% of the population [1] [3] [4]
As we can see the prevalence of thyroid disease is high and, in many instances, surgery forms an integral part of the treatment, so a complete understanding of the embryology, anatomy, histology, and physiology is essential to any surgeon that will be managing thyroid diseases
Summary
The modern head and neck surgeon/endocrine surgeon/thyroid surgeon should have a complete understanding of the basic science behind the development of the thyroid and parathyroid glands as well as knowledge of the possible congenital abnormalities arising out of these glands, as they may impact the completeness of surgery as well as the complications of surgery. The incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing steadily since the mid-1990s with an estimated incidence of 53,990 in 2018 [5]. This cancer represents the most common endocrine malignancy and accounts for approximately 3% of all human malignancies, with 75% of cases occurring in women [5] [6]. As we can see the prevalence of thyroid disease is high and, in many instances, surgery forms an integral part of the treatment, so a complete understanding of the embryology, anatomy, histology, and physiology is essential to any surgeon that will be managing thyroid diseases
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