Which of the following statements is correct about the thyroid gland ?

Options

A. It is composed of two lobes situated on either side of the esophagus.
B. The follicular cells of the thyroid gland are responsible for secretion of hormones.
C. Exophthalmic goitre is a form of hypothyroidism .
D. Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can cause defective foetal development.

Answer

To determine the correct statement about the thyroid gland, we will analyze each of the provided statements step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Location of the Thyroid Gland**:
- The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the neck region. It is composed of two lobes.
- **Statement Analysis**: The first statement claims that the thyroid gland is composed of two lobes situated on either side of the esophagus. However, the correct anatomical position is that the thyroid gland is located on either side of the trachea, not the esophagus. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect**.

2. **Function of Follicular Cells**:
- The thyroid gland contains follicular cells that are responsible for the production and secretion of thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
- **Statement Analysis**: The second statement asserts that the follicular cells of the thyroid gland are responsible for the secretion of hormones. This is **correct** as these cells indeed produce T3 and T4.

3. **Understanding Axopathic Gaiter**:
- Axopathic goiter is related to thyroid dysfunction, specifically hypothyroidism.
- **Statement Analysis**: The third statement claims that axopathic goiter is a form of hypothyroidism. However, this is misleading because goiter can occur in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, but the statement is not accurate in the context provided. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect**.

4. **Effects of Hyperthyroidism During Pregnancy**:
- Hyperthyroidism refers to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, which can indeed affect fetal development.
- **Statement Analysis**: The fourth statement mentions that hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can cause defective fetal development. This statement is **incorrect** because it is hypothyroidism during pregnancy that is more commonly associated with developmental issues in the fetus.

### Conclusion:
After analyzing all the statements, the only correct statement regarding the thyroid gland is that the follicular cells are responsible for the secretion of hormones (Statement 2).

### Final Answer:
The correct statement about the thyroid gland is: **The follicular cells of the thyroid gland are responsible for the secretion of hormones.**

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