MCDB 418 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Adenylyl Cyclase, Myelin, Myxedema
25 Feb 2017
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Thyroid: shield in greek, named for shield shaped cartilage of larynx. Shen-nung (2000 bc) first described thyroid goiter. China 12th century ad: treated goiter with sargasso weed, burned sponge, deer thyroid. Cretinism syndrome first described in europe in medieval times. As a child, your iodine intake high during early development. Goiter was very common in europe, particularly in regions with low iodine content in groundwater. In medieval times a mild goiter was considered a sign of beauty. Goiter continues to be a problem in regions of asia and europe. Northern part of lower peninsula and upper peninsula of michigan have non-detectable levels of iodine in soil and groundwater. Caused by leaching of trace elements from the soil by glaciers during last ice age. Body cannot make iodine, must consume externally. So goiter occurs after several weeks of iodine non-intake. Thyroid gland filled with follicles and c cells. C cells: endocrine cells that make calcitonin.
