Blood supply to the parathyroid glands is delivered by the _____ artery?
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Answer: D. Inferior thyroid
Explanation
The inferior thyroid artery provides the primary blood supply to the parathyroid glands. These small endocrine glands are closely associated with the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Their delicate vascular supply must be preserved during neck surgeries to prevent hormone deficiencies. Parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone which regulates blood calcium and phosphate levels. They are typically four in number, situated near the upper and lower thyroid poles. The inferior thyroid artery anastomoses freely with superior thyroid branches across the gland.
Accidental removal or devascularization of parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy causes hypocalcemia. Endocrine surgeons use specialized microdissection techniques to identify and spare these tiny glands. Postoperative muscle tetany can occur if parathyroid blood supply is permanently compromised. The common carotid artery is a major neck trunk and does not supply the glands directly. The superior thyroid artery supplies upper thyroid poles but plays a secondary role for glands. Middle thyroid artery is not a standard recognized anatomical vessel in human neck anatomy.
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