Reviews and Notes: Endocrinology: The Parathyroids: Basic and Clinical Concepts

The Parathyroids: Basic and Clinical Concepts

John P. Bilezikian, Robert Marcus, and Michael A. Levine; eds. 889 pages. New York: Raven; 1994. $165.00.

Advances in knowledge of the parathyroids represent a 30-year revolution of spectacular progress, say the editors. These advances are organized into this book, which uses the talents of more than 90 contributors. Illustrated; includes color illustrations of osteoid surface in primary hyperparathyroidism. Up-to-date as well as classic references. Factoids: The parathyroid was described as a new gland in humans and several mammals by Sandstrom in 1879. The number of parathyroid glands in humans varies: as many as 7% of persons have fewer than four, and as many as 13% have five. Their combined weight in adults is in the neighborhood of 1120 mg.