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The Thyroid Gland. Thyroid Hormones, Their Origin and Their Mechanism of Action

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Comprehensive Human Physiology

Abstract

Thyroid hormones (TH) are effectors of an endocrine system that influences development, growth and metabolism of practically all cells and tissues of the mammalian body. They are produced exclusively in the thyroid gland, under normal conditions mainly in the form of tetraiodothyronine (T4). The overall importance of this endocrine system is mirrored in the many physiological effects of TH on gene activation, protein synthesis and heat production (see Sects. 22.7, 22.8). It is known, for example, that normal prenatal and neonatal development of the brain in both humans and rodents depends on the presence of TH [56]. The importance of the system is also underscored by the numerous pathophysiological consequences of TH deficiency or TH excess throughout life (cf. Sect. 22.9).

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  1. R. Finke
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  2. H. Schleusener
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  3. K. Hierholzer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Physiologisches Institut, Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 7, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Rainer Greger

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., T2N 4N1, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Uwe Windhorst

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Finke, R., Schleusener, H., Hierholzer, K. (1996). The Thyroid Gland. Thyroid Hormones, Their Origin and Their Mechanism of Action. In: Greger, R., Windhorst, U. (eds) Comprehensive Human Physiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60946-6_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60946-6_23

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