Condition
Macroglossia
Andrey Nailor, M.D.Published 25 April 20051 min read
Key points
- Macroglossia is a disorder in which the tongue is larger than normal.
- It is usually enlarged because of an increase in the amount of tissue, rather than because of an external growth like a tumor.
Information
Macroglossia is a disorder in which the tongue is larger than normal. It is usually enlarged because of an increase in the amount of tissue, rather than because of an external growth like a tumor.
This condition can be seen in certain inherited or congenital disorders including:
- Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (low blood sugar in a newborn with macroglossia and other enlarged organs)
- Congenital hypotyhroidism (newborn with decreased or, rarely, no thyroid hormone production)
- Down's syndrome
- Primary amyloidosis
- Acromegaly (excess growth hormone)
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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