Whose discovery explained the structure of the thyroid gland?

Thomas Wharton, an English anatomist, described the thyroid gland in detail in 1656 and gave it one of its early names. Although its hormone-producing role was not yet known, the gland's anatomy became an important part of medical study. In the 19th and 20th centuries, scientists learned that the thyroid produces hormones such as thyroxine, which regulate metabolism. Wharton's work helped establish the anatomical identity of this vital neck gland.