关键词: 胸甲韧带, 下位甲状旁腺, 甲状旁腺功能减退, 胸甲韧带精细解剖法

Abstract: Research progress on the concept of thyrothymic ligament and its clinical significance in protecting inferior parathyroid gland        SONG Zhuo-lin，ZHAO Qun-zi，LI Zhi-yu. Department of Thyroid Surgery，the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University，School of Medicine，Hangzhou 310052，China
Corresponding author：LI Zhi-yu，E-mail: zrlizy@zju.edu.cn
Abstract    The concept of thyrothymic ligament will help surgeons to better understand the anatomical relationship between the inferior parathyroid gland and its surrounding structures. The dissection and exposure of the thyrothymic ligament during a thyroid surgery and central neck dissection will make it easier to identify the inferior parathyroid, preserve the gland and its blood supply in situ, and reduce the incidence of both temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism after surgery, thus improve patients’ quality of life.

Key words: thyrothymic ligament, inferior parathyroid gland, hypoparathyroidism, meticulous thyrothymic ligament dissection technique