exophthalmic goiter
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A medical condition characterized by hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) accompanied by goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) and exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs). It is an autoimmune disorder.
Usage
This is a specific medical term used to describe a set of symptoms related to Graves' disease. * The patient was diagnosed with exophthalmic goiter and began treatment immediately. * Exophthalmic goiter is one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used synonymously with Graves' disease in clinical contexts, though Graves' disease is the broader autoimmune condition of which exophthalmic goiter is a classic presentation.
- It can be described as a triad of symptoms: hyperthyroidism, goiter, and exophthalmos.
Variants and Related Words
- Graves' disease (n): The autoimmune disorder that is the most common cause of exophthalmic goiter.
- Hyperthyroidism (n): The condition of an overactive thyroid gland, a key component of exophthalmic goiter.
- Goiter (n): An enlarged thyroid gland.
- Exophthalmos (n): The abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs.
Synonyms
- Graves' disease
- Basedow's disease (an older term, less common in modern English)
Notes on Meaning
This term refers specifically to the combination of physical findings (goiter and exophthalmos) caused by the underlying hyperthyroid state, primarily from Graves' disease. It is not used for hyperthyroidism or goiter occurring alone.
Noun
- exophthalmos occurring in association with goiter; hyperthyroidism with protrusion of the eyeballs