goiter
Meaning of goiter: Goiter is a visibly or palpably enlarged thyroid gland that can occur whether thyroid hormone levels are normal, low, or high.
Definition of goiter
A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, the butterfly shaped gland located at the front of the neck below the larynx. It can range from a subtle swelling detected only on examination to a visibly enlarged mass in the neck.
A goiter can develop for several reasons, including insufficient dietary iodine, which the thyroid needs to produce its hormone, autoimmune conditions such as Graves disease or Hashimoto thyroiditis, and nodules that form within the thyroid tissue itself. Thyroid hormone levels in a person with a goiter can be normal, elevated, or reduced, depending on the underlying cause.
Most goiters are not cancerous, though evaluation, including blood testing of thyroid hormone levels and often an ultrasound of the gland, is generally used to characterize a goiter and identify its underlying cause. A large goiter can occasionally press on nearby structures in the neck, affecting swallowing or breathing.
Used in a sentence
Examination revealed a goiter, prompting thyroid function testing to determine the underlying cause.
Good to know
A goiter does not indicate whether thyroid hormone levels are normal, high, or low, since enlargement of the gland can occur under any of these conditions depending on the underlying cause.
Word origin
Where “goiter” comes from
Formed from Latin guttur, meaning throat, by way of Old French goitre.