Normal Thyroid Appearance and Anatomic Landmarks in Neck Ultrasound

Abstract

Performance of head and neck ultrasound for the evaluation of thyroid and parathyroid disease is readily learned by medical personnel trained in the use of basic ultrasound techniques. The proximity of the thyroid and parathyroid glands to the skin surface allows high-resolution images not only of these endocrine organs but of all of the surrounding vascular, muscular, nervous, and even bony anatomy of the neck. This chapter will explain normal neck anatomy, with specific attention to the thyroid and its surroundings. It is important to have a solid grasp of the normal ultrasound appearance of all of the neck structures, enabling you to readily identify abnormal findings, and normal variants.