This volume represents the proceedings of the second symposium on the parathyroid glands held in the Netherlands in August 1964. In its seven sections, the authors attempt to cover current research in parathyroid physiology, which has recently received a marked impetus by the availability of better parathyroid preparations, and by a better understanding of the intracellular mechanism involved in bone resorption. Though not intended for the general practitioner, clinical endocrinologist, or orthopedist, the excellent summary of the discussion after each section helps to make it a useful survey of current trends in parathyroid research.
The introduction by Prof Franklin C. McLean epitomizes in superb fashion the history of parathyroid research and the significance of recent advances. He summarizes present knowledge of calcium homeostasis, and emphasizes the advances in bone resorption which this symposium primarily covers. After a chapter of the ultrastructure and histochemistry of the parathyroids, the physiology of the