{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.thyroid-gland","code":"thing-q16399","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q16399/","name":"thyroid gland","alternateNames":["human thyroid"],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.OBJ"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"The thyroid gland is a bilobed endocrine organ in the anterior visceral compartment of the neck, applied to the larynx and upper trachea, whose follicular epithelium organifies iodide into thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) stored in colloid, while parafollicular C cells secrete calcitonin.","purpose":"Enable an AI agent to recognise a thyroid gland, assess its structural and endocrine state, and identify evidence and clinical authority needed for observation or intervention.","scope":{"in":["Identification of thyroid tissue, including ectopic tissue and postoperative remnants","Gland location, lobar configuration, dimensions and relationships to adjacent structures","Thyroid hormone function interpreted through linked laboratory and clinical evidence","Diffuse enlargement, inflammation and focal lesions as states or parts of the gland","Effects of thyroid-directed treatment and constraints on further investigation or intervention"],"out":["Parathyroid glands and systemic calcium regulation","Pituitary and hypothalamic organs and their independent disorders","Whole-organism metabolic, cardiovascular and reproductive state","Independent disease models for thyroid cancer, Graves' disease and other diagnoses","Drug products, imaging equipment and clinical procedure execution","Thyroid hormone molecules as independently modelled substances"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Establish thyroid tissue identity using anatomical, imaging or pathological evidence; a neck mass alone does not identify a thyroid gland.","Distinguish thyroid tissue from adjacent parathyroid tissue through tissue-specific evidence rather than proximity or a shared name.","Distinguish the endocrine gland from thyroid cartilage by identifying glandular tissue rather than a laryngeal skeletal structure.","Distinguish the whole gland from a thyroid nodule, cyst or tumour by recording the lesion's containment and the surrounding gland.","Do not exclude thyroid identity solely because tissue is outside the usual neck location or the gland has an atypical or surgically altered configuration."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"thyroid-identity-and-anatomy","name":"Thyroid identity and anatomy","description":"Establish which tissue belongs to the gland and how that tissue is distributed.","layers":[{"id":"tissue-identification","name":"Tissue identification","description":"Bind the gland to its host and record evidence supporting thyroid identity.","findings":[{"id":"supported-thyroid-identity","name":"Supported thyroid identity","description":"Record the observed tissue, identification method and unresolved alternatives.","questions":[{"text":"Which organism and species contain this gland, and what evidence identifies the tissue as thyroid?","id":"supported-thyroid-identity-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Which examination, image or pathology report supports identification, and which alternatives remain unresolved?","id":"supported-thyroid-identity-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"anatomical-distribution","name":"Anatomical distribution","description":"Describe gland components, ectopic tissue, remnants and local boundaries.","findings":[{"id":"mapped-thyroid-components","name":"Mapped thyroid components","description":"Record observed components and distinguish missing, removed and unobserved tissue.","questions":[{"text":"Where are the observed lobes, isthmus, accessory tissue or remnants, and what are their dimensions?","id":"mapped-thyroid-components-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which apparent boundaries or absent components are established, and which remain uncertain because of limited examination?","id":"mapped-thyroid-components-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"thyroid-endocrine-function","name":"Thyroid endocrine function","description":"Represent circulating hormone evidence and its interpretation in relation to the gland.","layers":[{"id":"biochemical-observations","name":"Biochemical observations","description":"Retain laboratory results with their measurement context.","findings":[{"id":"interpretable-thyroid-tests","name":"Interpretable thyroid tests","description":"Record TSH and relevant T4 or T3 results, units, intervals and collection context. These are established thyroid assessment tests. [NIDDK thyroid tests](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/thyroid).","questions":[{"text":"What TSH, free or total T4, and T3 results are available, with specimen dates, units and assay-specific reference intervals?","id":"interpretable-thyroid-tests-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What pregnancy, illness, medication, supplement or assay-interference context was documented when these samples were obtained?","id":"interpretable-thyroid-tests-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"functional-attribution","name":"Functional attribution","description":"Separate observed hormone status from its proposed origin.","findings":[{"id":"gland-function-interpretation","name":"Gland function interpretation","description":"Record the attributed functional state and competing explanations without treating blood concentrations as direct measurements of gland secretion.","questions":[{"text":"What evidence supports the assigned functional state, and are laboratory results and clinical observations concordant?","id":"gland-function-interpretation-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"How has interpretation distinguished gland production from hormone release, administered hormone or altered upstream regulation?","id":"gland-function-interpretation-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"thyroid-tissue-and-lesions","name":"Thyroid tissue and lesions","description":"Describe diffuse tissue changes and individually tracked focal abnormalities.","layers":[{"id":"diffuse-parenchymal-state","name":"Diffuse parenchymal state","description":"Record enlargement, tissue appearance and evidence of inflammatory or autoimmune involvement.","findings":[{"id":"diffuse-change-assessment","name":"Diffuse change assessment","description":"Keep physical, imaging, antibody and diagnostic interpretations distinguishable.","questions":[{"text":"What measurements or observations establish diffuse enlargement, altered tissue appearance or tenderness?","id":"diffuse-change-assessment-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which evidence supports an inflammatory or autoimmune interpretation, and who made that interpretation?","id":"diffuse-change-assessment-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"focal-lesion-assessment","name":"Focal lesion assessment","description":"Maintain lesion identity across imaging, sampling and follow-up.","findings":[{"id":"traceable-nodule-evidence","name":"Traceable nodule evidence","description":"Link each lesion's imaging features and any sampling result to the same target. Ultrasound and, when indicated, biopsy contribute to nodule evaluation. [American Thyroid Association thyroid nodules](https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-nodules/).","questions":[{"text":"For each lesion, what are its location, dimensions, composition and reported ultrasound risk category, including the classification system and version?","id":"traceable-nodule-evidence-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which lesion was sampled, what was the specimen adequacy and reported interpretation, and does that result resolve or leave uncertainty about that lesion?","id":"traceable-nodule-evidence-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"thyroid-local-effects-and-course","name":"Thyroid local effects and course","description":"Represent effects on neighbouring structures and meaningful changes over time.","layers":[{"id":"adjacent-structure-effects","name":"Adjacent structure effects","description":"Relate gland enlargement or lesions to the airway, swallowing structures, voice function and regional tissues.","findings":[{"id":"local-impact-attribution","name":"Local impact attribution","description":"Record symptoms and anatomical findings separately, then preserve the evidence connecting them.","questions":[{"text":"What breathing, swallowing or voice changes and what compression, displacement or extension findings have been documented?","id":"local-impact-attribution-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What evidence attributes these effects to the thyroid, and which findings require urgent clinical assessment under the applicable pathway?","id":"local-impact-attribution-q02","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"longitudinal-thyroid-change","name":"Longitudinal thyroid change","description":"Compare anatomical and functional observations while preserving comparability and timing.","findings":[{"id":"supported-state-transition","name":"Supported state transition","description":"Distinguish measured progression or recovery from changed methods, unmatched lesions or transient observations.","questions":[{"text":"How have gland volume, individual lesions and thyroid test results changed across dated, comparable assessments?","id":"supported-state-transition-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which changes followed treatment or another documented exposure, and how strong is the evidence for attribution?","id":"supported-state-transition-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"thyroid-investigation-and-intervention","name":"Thyroid investigation and intervention","description":"Record the evidence, constraints and follow-up required for thyroid-directed care.","layers":[{"id":"investigation-selection","name":"Investigation selection","description":"Connect proposed laboratory tests, imaging or sampling to a defined unresolved question.","findings":[{"id":"justified-next-investigation","name":"Justified next investigation","description":"Record why an investigation is proposed, what it could resolve and which prerequisites remain unmet.","questions":[{"text":"What unresolved functional or structural question would the proposed thyroid test, scan or biopsy answer?","id":"justified-next-investigation-q01","kind":"action"},{"text":"What patient-specific constraints, prior iodine exposure, pregnancy or lactation context, target confirmation and clinical authorisation must be checked for this investigation?","id":"justified-next-investigation-q02","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"treatment-and-residual-capacity","name":"Treatment and residual capacity","description":"Record thyroid-directed treatment decisions and their effects on remaining anatomy and function.","findings":[{"id":"authorised-care-and-follow-up","name":"Authorised care and follow-up","description":"Link observation, medication, ablation or surgery to its clinical indication, responsible professional and subsequent reassessment.","questions":[{"text":"What thyroid-directed plan has been authorised, for which indication and target, and with what documented constraints involving adjacent structures or host condition?","id":"authorised-care-and-follow-up-q01","kind":"action"},{"text":"What thyroid tissue and functional capacity remain after treatment, and what monitoring or hormone replacement plan has been documented?","id":"authorised-care-and-follow-up-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-identifiers","name":"Identifiers and schemes","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-identifiers-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation","name":"Standards and regulation","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-measurements","name":"Typical measurements","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-measurements-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of thyroid gland this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Explain thyroid anatomy, hormones and common disorders from medical sources.","Point people with neck swelling or symptoms of thyroid disease to medical care.","Share official guidance on iodine tablets in a radiation emergency."],"mustNot":["Diagnose thyroid disease or interpret test results for a person.","Advise starting, stopping or changing thyroid medication.","Recommend iodine supplements or tablets outside official guidance.","Disclose a person's thyroid condition without consent."],"requiresHuman":["Any treatment, surgery or radioactive therapy of the thyroid."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Iodine deficiency still harms children's development in many places.","Health data about hormone conditions is private."],"affectedParties":["Patients","Children and pregnant women","People near nuclear incidents"]},"owners":{"steward":"The person whose body it is; clinicians treat it with consent.","roles":[],"masterSystems":[]},"relations":[{"target":"Q112826975","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q28846466","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.thyroid-gland","Wikidata: Q16399 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16399)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Organism and species: Host organism identifier and species","Tissue presence and distribution: Normally located, ectopic, mixed distribution, residual, documented absent, not visualised or uncertain","Lobar configuration: Observed lobes, isthmus and accessory components, with congenital or surgical explanation where known","Gland dimensions and volume: Dimensions in mm; volume in mL; method, component and examination date","Thyroid function evidence: TSH in mIU/L; free T4 and T3 in reported assay units; specimen time and laboratory reference intervals","Attributed functional state: Euthyroid, hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, discordant or undetermined; interpretation date and treatment context","Parenchymal appearance: Reported echogenicity, homogeneity and vascularity with examination method","Focal lesion inventory: Linked lesions with stable identities, locations, dimensions and assessment dates","Local compression or extension: Observed, suspected, absent on specified assessment or unassessed; affected adjacent structure","Thyroid-directed treatment history: Linked medication, surgery, radioiodine or ablation events with dates and anatomical targets"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["The gland usually has two lateral lobes connected by an isthmus across the front of the upper trachea.","Its position below the larynx and beside the trachea distinguishes it from salivary glands higher in the neck.","Exposed thyroid tissue is typically reddish brown and visibly vascular.","Microscopy shows rounded follicles containing colloid, unlike the cellular arrangements of nearby parathyroid tissue."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Reconcile examination, imaging and pathology evidence to locate and identify thyroid tissue.","Compare gland and nodule measurements across time while checking that methods and targets match.","Interpret linked thyroid tests within assay, host and treatment context and flag unresolved discordance.","Assemble evidence for clinician review of diffuse abnormalities, nodules or local compression.","Identify missing prerequisites for proposed sampling, treatment or surveillance.","Track anatomical and functional consequences of authorised thyroid-directed care."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Thyroid cancer after radioactive iodine exposure, especially in children.","Goitre and developmental harm from iodine deficiency.","Overtreatment with thyroid hormone."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["Terminologia Anatomica, issued by the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology, standardizes names for the human thyroid gland and its anatomical parts."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["The thyroid gland is encountered in neck anatomy, endocrine assessment and imaging of neck swelling or nodules.","Its hormones influence metabolism, growth and development, so assessment considers both gland structure and hormone function."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (thyroid gland)","url":"","note":"Position in the anterior neck, lobes/isthmus/pyramidal lobe, relations to trachea, strap muscles and recurrent laryngeal nerves, and adult mass."},{"title":"Terminologia Anatomica (glandula thyroidea)","url":"","note":"Standard anatomical name and place of the organ in the official anatomical nomenclature issued by FIPAT/IFAA."},{"title":"2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer","url":"","note":"How the gland is encountered clinically (nodules, ultrasound, FNA, surgery, radioiodine) and the ATA as the issuing body for nodule/cancer practice."},{"title":"WHO Classification of Tumours: Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumours","url":"","note":"Pathological kinds of thyroid neoplasia (follicular-cell vs C-cell lineages) used in histopathology practice."},{"title":"Assessment of iodine deficiency disorders and monitoring their elimination","url":"","note":"Population iodine status, urinary iodine ranges, goitre as a public-health finding, and salt-iodization policy."},{"title":"Wikidata item Q16399 (thyroid gland)","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16399","note":"Stable public identifier and crosswalks to FMA, UBERON, MeSH and related anatomy codes."},{"title":"Wikipedia: Thyroid","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Does this registry entry cover thyroid glands across vertebrate species, and which species-specific anatomical and functional extensions are required?","Which age-, species-, pregnancy- and assay-specific reference sources should govern interpretation of gland size and thyroid tests?","Which jurisdiction and version of nodule imaging, cytology and management guidance should govern risk labels and action thresholds?","How should ectopic thyroid tissue and postoperative remnants share organ identity, and when should a lesion or removed specimen become a separately linked thing?","What coverage is required for congenital thyroid disorders and C-cell or calcitonin-related assessment beyond the provisional follicular-function emphasis?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q16399/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q16399/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex","Grok"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-07T11:30:36Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:26+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}