Where Is The Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland straddles the mid line of the mid to lower neck, usually just under the Adam’s Apple. It has a right lobe, a left lobe, and an isthmus which bridges the two sides. Each lobe has an upper pole (the highest point of thyroid tissue in a lobe), a lower pole (the lowest point), and an inter-polar region (sometimes call the midpole; refers to the midpoint between the upper and lower pole). Directly underneath the thyroid gland is the TRACHEA, or the windpipe. Immediately to the left of the left lobe and to the right of the right lobe is the carotid artery and the jugular vein. The thyroid gland can sometimes enlarge and extend down into the deep neck and can actually extend behind the sternum (breast bone) into the chest which is called SUBSTERNAL EXTENSION of the thyroid gland. Because of its superficial position in the neck, the thyroid gland moves up and down when you swallow. This attribute explains why an experienced doctor will stand behind you and ask you to swallow
