Hyperparathyroidism refers to a term representing a wide spectrum of parathyroid disorders that are characterized by the increased production of parathyroid hormone. Hyperparathyroidism was once thought to be rare but is now more commonly recognized, affecting 1 in 500 women over 40 years of age. Yet the interpretation of parathyroid pathology is still controversial and confusing. Over the past 10 years, genetic changes (ret and menin genes) involved in the pathogenesis of MEN 2 and MEN 1 have been discovered in succession. Different mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor gene have been identified in neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, respectively. The HRPT 2 gene responsible for the development of hereditary hyperparathyroidism and jaw tumors has been localized on the 1q21-31 locus. Several genetic alterations have also been characterized in primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Different genetic alterations appear to involve the development of different types of hyperparathyroidism. These novel advances give us new insights into the pathogenesis of hyperparathyroidism and allow better differentiation between the different types of parathyroid disorders.