Calcitonin helps decrease blood calcium levels by moving calcium into storage in bones and teeth. This hormone is secreted by which gland?

Calcitonin helps decrease blood calcium levels by moving calcium into storage in bones and teeth. This hormone is secreted by which gland?

• A. Parathyroid gland
• B. Thyroid gland
• C. Adrenal gland
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (B)

Calcitonin lowers blood calcium by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which reduces bone resorption and helps move calcium into bone storage. It is produced by the thyroid gland, specifically by the parafollicular cells (C cells). The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, which raises blood calcium by increasing bone resorption and kidney calcium reabsorption. The adrenal glands and pancreas do not secrete calcitonin. So the gland responsible for calcitonin is the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin lowers blood calcium by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which reduces bone resorption and helps move calcium into bone storage. It is produced by the thyroid gland, specifically by the parafollicular cells (C cells). The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, which raises blood calcium by increasing bone resorption and kidney calcium reabsorption. The adrenal glands and pancreas do not secrete calcitonin. So the gland responsible for calcitonin is the thyroid gland.