Thyroid facts for kids

The thyroid is a very important gland in your body. It's one of the largest glands in the endocrine system, which is like your body's control center for hormones. You can find your thyroid in your neck, right below your mouth. Look at picture number 3 to see where it is!

The thyroid gland acts like a manager for many things in your body. It helps control how fast your body uses energy, how it makes proteins, and how your body reacts to other hormones. Think of it as a thermostat that keeps your body running smoothly.

The Thyroid Gland: Your Body's Energy Controller

Your thyroid gland is shaped a bit like a butterfly. It sits at the front of your neck, just above your collarbones. This small but mighty gland plays a huge role in your overall health and how you feel every day.

What Does the Thyroid Do?

The main job of your thyroid is to make special chemicals called hormones. These hormones travel through your blood to every part of your body. They tell your cells how quickly to work. This affects many things, like:

• How fast your heart beats.
• How quickly you burn the food you eat for energy.
• How warm your body stays.
• How your brain develops and works.
• How your muscles move.

Where is Your Thyroid Located?

Your thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck. It wraps around your windpipe, which is also called the trachea. It's just below your voice box, which is called the larynx. You can often feel it if you gently touch the front of your neck.

How Does the Thyroid Work?

The thyroid makes two main hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are made using iodine, which is a mineral found in some foods. Your body needs enough iodine to make these hormones properly.

Hormones and Their Jobs

Thyroid hormones are super important for your metabolism. Metabolism is the process where your body turns food into energy. If your thyroid makes too much hormone, your body works too fast. This can make you feel restless or lose weight. If it makes too little, your body slows down. This can make you feel tired or gain weight.

Keeping Your Thyroid Healthy

Eating a balanced diet helps keep your thyroid healthy. Foods like seafood, dairy products, and iodized salt contain iodine, which your thyroid needs. If you have concerns about your thyroid, it's always best to talk to a doctor.

Images for kids

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  The thyroid gland surrounds the cricoid and tracheal cartilages, and consists of two lobes. This image shows a variant thyroid with a pyramidal lobe emerging from the middle of the thyroid.

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  Section of a thyroid gland under the microscope. 1 follicles, 2 follicular cells, 3 endothelial cells

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  The thyroid was named by Thomas Wharton after the ancient Greek shield of a similar pronunciation. Shown is an example, as engraved on an obol dating from 431–424 BCE.

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  Floor of pharynx of embryo between 18 and 21 days

See also

In Spanish: Glándula tiroides para niños