Clinical Diagnosis · Endocrine System · Medium
Acromegaly
Meaning: Excess growth hormone in adults causing enlarged hands, feet, jaw and facial features.
In practice: Usually due to a pituitary adenoma; a recognised secondary cause of diabetes mellitus.
Word parts
- -megaly means enlargement
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Oral corticosteroid used to suppress inflammation and immune activity.
Answer: Prednisolone
Which word means: Inflammation of the pigmented middle layer of the eye: the iris, ciliary body and choroid.
Answer: Uveitis
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