Study note

Terminology for thyroid enlargement and discrete swellings

THE CONTEXT

Thyroid enlargement is described by whether it is generalised or discrete and whether other palpable abnormalities are present.

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The normal thyroid gland is impalpable.

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Goitre describes generalised enlargement of the thyroid gland.

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An isolated or solitary swelling is a discrete nodule in one lobe with no palpable abnormality elsewhere in the gland.

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A dominant swelling is a discrete swelling accompanied by evidence of abnormality elsewhere in the gland.

NEETx

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