True about Parathyroid hormone:
First, the core concept: PTH is a hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands. Its main role is regulating calcium and phosphate levels. It increases blood calcium by stimulating bone resorption via osteoclasts, enhancing calcium reabsorption in the kidneys, and activating vitamin D to increase intestinal absorption.
Now, the correct answer would likely be about these functions. Common true statements include: PTH increases serum calcium, decreases phosphate, acts on osteoclasts, and is regulated by calcium levels. Let's assume the options are about these points.
For incorrect options, distractors might include things like increasing phosphate (which is false because PTH decreases phosphate), promoting calcium excretion (wrong because it reduces excretion), or being produced by the thyroid (incorrect, it's parathyroid).
Clinical pearls: Remember PTH's role in hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. High PTH with high calcium suggests hyperparathyroidism; low PTH with low calcium might be hypoparathyroidism.
Putting this together, the correct answer would be the option stating that PTH increases serum calcium. The explanation should cover the mechanisms and why other options are wrong. Need to ensure the answer fits the structure provided by the user, including all sections and formatting.
**Core Concept**
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a critical regulator of calcium and phosphate homeostasis, secreted by the parathyroid glands in response to hypocalcemia. It acts primarily on bone, kidneys, and indirectly on the intestines via vitamin D activation to elevate serum calcium levels.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
PTH increases serum calcium by stimulating osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, enhancing renal tubular reabsorption of calcium (especially in the distal tubule), and activating vitamin D (1α-hydroxylase enzyme in the kidneys). These actions collectively counteract hypocalcemia. Additionally, PTH decreases phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule, reducing serum phosphate levels.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *“Inhibits renal excretion of phosphate”* – Incorrect. PTH *decreases* phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule, increasing urinary phosphate excretion.
**Option B:** *“Decreases intestinal absorption of calcium”* – Incorrect. PTH indirectly enhances intestinal calcium absorption by converting 25-hydroxyvitamin D to active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
**Option C:** *“Is secreted by the thyroid gland”* – Incorrect. PTH is secreted by the *parathyroid* glands, not the thyroid. The thyroid secretes calcitonin, which opposes PTH.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the “**Phosphate out, Calcium in**” mnemonic for PTH effects: it lowers serum phosphate (via increased excretion) and raises serum calcium (via bone resorption, renal reabsorption, and vitamin D activation). Avoid confusing PTH with calcitonin, which lowers