Mysterious Parathyroid Glow (IMAGE) Vanderbilt University Caption Parathyroid tissue in the upper right emits a natural fluorescence in the infrared spectrum that is twice as strong as that of thyroid tissue in the lower left. The difference is strong enough that a simple optical system can distinguish between the two during endocrine surgeries. Credit Mahadevan-Jansen Laboratory Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.