Macroglossia
Macroglossia is a disorder in which the tongue is larger than normal.
Information
Macroglossia is usually caused by an increase in the amount of tissue on the tongue, rather than by a growth, such as a tumor.
This condition can be seen in certain inherited or congenital (existing at birth) disorders, including:
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Acromegaly
(buildup of too much growth hormone in the body)
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a condition in which there is too much growth hormone in the body.
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Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
(growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms)
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms. It is a congenital condition, which ...
-
Congenital hypothyroidism
(decreased production of thyroid hormone)
Congenital hypothyroidism
Neonatal hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid hormone production in a newborn. In very rare cases, no thyroid hormone is produced. The condition is ...
- Diabetes (high blood sugar caused by body producing too little or no insulin)
- Down syndrome (extra copy of chromosome 21, which causes problems with physical and intellectual functioning)
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Lymphangioma
or
hemangioma
(malformations in the lymph system or buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs)
Lymphangioma
A cystic hygroma is a growth that often occurs in the head and neck area. It is a birth defect.
Hemangioma
A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.
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Mucopolysaccharidoses
(a group of diseases that cause large amounts of sugar to build up in the body's cells and tissues)
Mucopolysaccharidoses
Mucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules that are found throughout the body, often in mucus and in fluid around the joints. They are m...
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Primary amyloidosis
(a buildup of abnormal proteins in the body's tissues and organs)
Primary amyloidosis
Primary amyloidosis is a disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid depo...
References
Dorland's Online Medical Dictionary. Available at: dorlands.com/def.jsp?id=100062359. Accessed May 15, 2015.
Stedman's Online Medical Dictionary. Available at: www.stedmansonline.com/content.aspx?id=mlrM0100001416&termtype=t. Accessed May 15, 2015.
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Throat anatomy - illustration
Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.
Throat anatomy
illustration
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Macroglossia - illustration
Macroglossia is a congenital disorder where the tongue is larger than normal. It is enlarged because of an increase in the amount of tissue, not because of a tumor or growth. There is also a perceived macroglossia in Down syndrome possibly because the tongue frequently protrudes.
Macroglossia
illustration
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Macroglossia - illustration
Macroglossia is a congenital disorder where the tongue is larger than normal. It is enlarged because of an increase in the amount of tissue, not because of a tumor or growth.
Macroglossia
illustration
-
Throat anatomy - illustration
Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.
Throat anatomy
illustration
-
Macroglossia - illustration
Macroglossia is a congenital disorder where the tongue is larger than normal. It is enlarged because of an increase in the amount of tissue, not because of a tumor or growth. There is also a perceived macroglossia in Down syndrome possibly because the tongue frequently protrudes.
Macroglossia
illustration
-
Macroglossia - illustration
Macroglossia is a congenital disorder where the tongue is larger than normal. It is enlarged because of an increase in the amount of tissue, not because of a tumor or growth.
Macroglossia
illustration
Review Date: 4/21/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.