BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMacroglossiaMacroglossia is a disorder in which the tongue is larger than normal. Information Macroglossia is most often caused by an increase in the amount of tissue in 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:Acromegaly (buildup of too much growth hormone in the body) AcromegalyAcromegaly is a condition in which there is too much growth hormone (GH) in your body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms) Beckwith-Wiedemann syndromeBeckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms. It is a congenital condition, which ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Congenital hypothyroidism (decreased production of thyroid hormone) Congenital hypothyroidismNeonatal hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid hormone production in a newborn. In very rare cases, no thyroid hormone is produced. The condition is ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes (high blood sugar caused by body producing too little or no insulin) DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Down syndrome (extra copy of chromosome 21, which causes problems with physical and intellectual functioning) Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphangioma or hemangioma (malformations in the lymph system or buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs) LymphangiomaA cystic hygroma is a growth that often occurs in the head and neck area. It is a birth defect.Read Article Now Book Mark Article HemangiomaA hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mucopolysaccharidoses (a group of diseases that cause large amounts of sugar to build up in the body's cells and tissues) MucopolysaccharidosesMucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules that are found throughout the body, often in mucus and in fluid around the joints. They are m...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Primary amyloidosis (a buildup of abnormal proteins in the body's tissues and organs) Primary amyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesAlwani MM, Makki FM, Robbins KT. Physiology of the oral cavity. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 86.Jones KL, Jones MC, del Campo M. Early overgrowth with associated defects. In: Jones KL, Jones MC, del Campo M, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: F, 198-225.Rose E. Pediatric upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 162.AllVideoImagesTogThroat anatomy - illustration Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.Throat anatomyillustrationMacroglossia - 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.MacroglossiaillustrationMacroglossia - 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.MacroglossiaillustrationThroat anatomy - illustration Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.Throat anatomyillustrationMacroglossia - 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.MacroglossiaillustrationMacroglossia - 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.MacroglossiaillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 4/5/2025 Reviewed By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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MacroglossiaMacroglossia is a disorder in which the tongue is larger than normal. Information Macroglossia is most often caused by an increase in the amount of tissue in 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:Acromegaly (buildup of too much growth hormone in the body) AcromegalyAcromegaly is a condition in which there is too much growth hormone (GH) in your body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms) Beckwith-Wiedemann syndromeBeckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms. It is a congenital condition, which ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Congenital hypothyroidism (decreased production of thyroid hormone) Congenital hypothyroidismNeonatal hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid hormone production in a newborn. In very rare cases, no thyroid hormone is produced. The condition is ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes (high blood sugar caused by body producing too little or no insulin) DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Down syndrome (extra copy of chromosome 21, which causes problems with physical and intellectual functioning) Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphangioma or hemangioma (malformations in the lymph system or buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs) LymphangiomaA cystic hygroma is a growth that often occurs in the head and neck area. It is a birth defect.Read Article Now Book Mark Article HemangiomaA hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mucopolysaccharidoses (a group of diseases that cause large amounts of sugar to build up in the body's cells and tissues) MucopolysaccharidosesMucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules that are found throughout the body, often in mucus and in fluid around the joints. They are m...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Primary amyloidosis (a buildup of abnormal proteins in the body's tissues and organs) Primary amyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesAlwani MM, Makki FM, Robbins KT. Physiology of the oral cavity. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 86.Jones KL, Jones MC, del Campo M. Early overgrowth with associated defects. In: Jones KL, Jones MC, del Campo M, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: F, 198-225.Rose E. Pediatric upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 162.
