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Retrosternal thyroid

Retrosternal thyroid

Overview

The normal position of the thyroid is at the front of the neck above the sternal notch. In retrosternal thyroid, a portion of the gland extends below the sternal notch.

Review Date 1/1/2026

Updated by: Ann M. Rogers, MD, FACS, Professor Emeritus, Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.