acromegaly

[ ak-ruh-meg-uh-lee ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a chronic disease characterized by enlargement of the bones of the head, the soft parts of the feet and hands, and sometimes other structures, due to excessive secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland.

acromegaly

/ ˌækrəʊˈmɛɡəlɪ; ˌækrəʊmɪˈɡælɪk /

noun

1. a chronic disease characterized by enlargement of the bones of the head, hands, and feet, and swelling and enlargement of soft tissue, esp the tongue. It is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland Compare gigantism

Derived Forms

• acromegalic, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• ac·ro·me·gal·ic [ak-roh-m, uh, -, gal, -ik], adjective
• pseu·do·ac·ro·meg·a·ly noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acromegaly¹

1885–90; < French acromégalie < New Latin acromegalia. See acro-, -megaly

Word History and Origins

Origin of acromegaly¹

C19: from French acromégalie, from acro- + Greek megal-, stem of megas big

Example Sentences

In recent decades, DNA tests have shown Byrne carried a gene mutation that can cause tumors near the pituitary gland, which in turn causes extreme growth, called acromegaly.

From Washington Post

Since then, scientists who have studied his skeleton have determined that he had a tumor that caused acromegaly and gigantism, conditions in which the body produces too much growth hormone.

From New York Times

The doctor suspected the patient had an excess of one of these hormones — an overproduction of growth hormone will cause unregulated enlargement of the soft tissues throughout the body, a disorder called acromegaly.

From New York Times

His face, well known to so many of us thanks to his role as Fezzik, the kind giant in Rob Reiner’s classic movie “The Princess Bride,” serves as a template for the effects of acromegaly.

From New York Times

According to his profile on the International Paralympic Committee website, he was diagnosed with acromegaly when he was younger.

From Fox News