Thyroid Glands: Location, Function & Hormone Regulation

Thyroid glands are endocrine glands located on either side of the trachea in the neck. They are small, butterfly-shaped glands that produce and release hormones that regulate metabolism and growth. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 is the inactive form of the hormone, while T3 is the active form. The thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, which regulate the production and release of thyroid hormones.