Abstract

A study was undertaken to illustrate the gross and morphometric features of thyroid gland of male and female Large White Yorkshire pigs in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The study was conducted on total 12 animals consisting of two groups: male and female group, each group containing 6 numbers of animals. Topographical, gross morphological and morphometric parameters were studied. The thyroid gland appeared as a single gland but careful dissection revealed its two lobes: right and left lobes those were connected by an indistinct isthmus. The cranial lobes of thymus overlapped the lateral aspects of thyroid. The capsule was thick on the dorsal surface than on ventral surface. The lobules were clearly demarcated on the surface by interlobular connective tissue. The position of the gland varied from being situated at caudal border of larynx upto the manubrium sterni. The width of the intact thyroid gland was more in male than in the female animals. Irrespective of the sex, the average length of the left lobe was lower than the right lobe. The average weight of the thyroid gland in female was higher than the male animal.

Keywords : Large White Yorkshire, Thyroid, Topography, Morphology, Morphometry