Sutures and Wound Repair/General Surgery (ABSA) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The statement about the thyroid gland being essential to life is not true, primarily because while thyroid hormones play a significant role in metabolism and various bodily functions, the absence of the thyroid gland does not invariably lead to death. Individuals can live without a thyroid, especially with appropriate hormone replacement therapy, such as levothyroxine, which can supplement the necessary hormones that the gland normally produces.

The other statements reflect accurate characteristics of the thyroid. The blood supply to the thyroid comes from both the external carotid artery and other branches, thus emphasizing its rich vascularization, which is vital for hormone production. The thyroid does indeed affect the metabolic rate of all body tissues through the regulation of metabolic processes via hormones like thyroxine. Lastly, a thyroid crisis, or thyroid storm, can emerge in individuals with hyperthyroidism, leading to severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms. This underlines the importance of the thyroid in regulating not just metabolism but also the overall physiological equilibrium in the body.