The parathyroid glands are small organs responsible for regulating calcium-phosphorus metabolism in the body. They were discovered in 1852 by Richard Owen. A comprehensive description of the parathyroid structure in humans was presented by Sandström in 1880. Several years later, Gley observed a connection between parathyroid damage and tetany. In 1908, MacCallum and Voegtlin suggested the impact of parathyroids on calcium metabolism, attributing tetany to hypocalcaemia following their removal. The link between parathyroid pathology and skeletal changes was noted by Erdheim in 1906. Another pivotal event was the isolation of parathyroid extract, independently accomplished by Hanson in 1923 and Collip in 1925. Mandl made history as the first surgeon to successfully perform parathyroidectomy due to a parathyroid adenoma in 1925. In the mid 20th century, Albright conducted extensive studies on hyperparathyroidism, distinguishing between primary, secondary, and tertiary hyperparathyroidism. The purification of the parathyroid hormone and the development of laboratory tests to assess its blood levels facilitated the diagnosis of parathyroid disorders, contributing to a significant increase in surgeries in the late 1980s. The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries marked a period of significant development in parathyroid imaging techniques and minimally invasive surgery. This article delineates key events in the history of parathyroids that have shaped contemporary knowledge and contributed to the development of effective methods for the diagnosis and treatment of parathyroid diseases.