Goitre | |
---|---|
Other names | Goiter |
Diffuse hyperplasia of the thyroid | |
Specialty | Endocrinology |
Causes | Iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease, tumors, cyanide poisoning |
A goitre, or goiter, is a swelling in the neck resulting from an enlarged thyroid gland.[1][2] A goitre can be associated with a thyroid that is not functioning properly.
Worldwide, over 90% of goitre cases are caused by iodine deficiency.[3] The term is from the Latin gutturia, meaning throat. Most goitres are not cancerous (benign), though they may be potentially harmful.
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