THYROID ENLARGEMENT

THYROID ENLARGEMENT

The normal thyroid gland is impalpable. The term goitre (from the Latin guttur = the throat) is used to describe generalised enlargement of the thyroid gland. A discrete swelling (nodule) in one lobe with no palpable abnormality elsewhere is termed an isolated (or solitary) swelling. Discrete swellings with evidence of abnormality elsewhere in the gland are termed dominant. A scheme for classifying thyroid enlargement is given in Table 55.3 . THYROID ENLARGEMENT

The normal thyroid gland is impalpable. The term goitre (from the Latin guttur = the throat) is used to describe generalised enlargement of the thyroid gland. A discrete swelling (nodule) in one lobe with no palpable abnormality elsewhere is termed an isolated (or solitary) swelling. Discrete swellings with evidence of abnormality elsewhere in the gland are termed dominant. A scheme for classifying thyroid enlargement is given in Table 55.3 .