The parathyroid glands are four small glands, each the size of a grain of rice, that are found in the neck behind the thyroid gland.The parathyroid glands play an important role in regulating the amount of calcium in our bodies.

If one or more of your parathyroid glands needs to be removed, it is called parathyroidectomy. An incision (cut) is made in the front of and at the base of the neck and the parathyroid gland(s) removed.