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- Inherited or congenital disorders associated with Macroglossia include Down syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, primary amyloidosis, and congenital hypothyroidism. Acquired causes may include trauma, cancer, endocrine disorders, and inflammatory or infectious diseases.
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What if my tongue is bigger than normal?
What causes oversized tongues?
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What causes enlargement of the tongue?
What happens if you have a big tongue?
What is macroglossia (enlarged tongue)?
Jan 9, 2023 · If your tongue is larger than what is considered normal, the medical term for your condition is "macroglossia." Here's what you need to know about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare disorder to keep you smiling.
Mar 4, 2024 · Macroglossia is defined as an unusually large tongue that protrudes beyond the dental arch. In some cases, macroglossia can result in orthodontic problems such as dental spacing, an open bite, and malocclusion of the teeth.
- Can your tongue be too big for your mouth?
- Symptoms of having a large tongue
- Why is my tongue so big?
- Is having a big tongue a symptom of a syndrome?
- Potential risks of having a big tongue
- When to call a doctor
- How is macroglossia diagnosed?
- How is macroglossia treated?
- Takeaway
Macroglossia happens when your tongue is enlarged or oversized. It’s also called a “big tongue” or “enlarged tongue.” Since the tongue is part of your digestive system, it’s considered to be a digestive system disorder.
In most cases, macroglossia is a symptom of an underlying condition. The condition might be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later in life). However, it’s possible to be born with macroglossia without a known underlying cause.
Having a large tongue can cause complications, like difficulty eating or breathing. For some people, having a big tongue is also a cosmetic issue.
Read on to learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of macroglossia.
Symptoms of macroglossia include:
•tongue sticking out of the mouth
•snoring
•difficulty talking, eating, or breathing
•high-pitched sound while breathing (stridor)
•drooling
Congenital syndromes
Commonly, macroglossia that’s present at birth is caused by a syndrome like: •Down syndrome •Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome •Hunter syndrome •Hurler syndrome •Robinow syndrome •Maroteux-Lamy syndrome •Crouzon syndrome •Apert syndrome
Congenital muscular dystrophy
Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the muscle. It causes low muscle tone, also called hypotonia, and muscle weakness that worsens over time. Macroglossia is a symptom of CMD. Other symptoms include: •overgrowth of leg muscles •weakness of arm muscles •delays in motor development •difficulty breathing
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is when the body of an adult makes too many growth hormones. This causes tissues, like the tongue, to overgrow. Other symptoms include: •large hands and feet •difficulty sleeping •larger facial features Typically, acromegaly develops gradually.
Sometimes, an enlarged tongue is a symptom of a congenital syndrome.
Syndromes that may cause an enlarged tongue include:
•Down syndrome
•Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome
•Hunter syndrome and Hurler syndrome
•Robinow syndrome
If left untreated, macroglossia can cause complications.
Macroglossia that’s present at birth can affect physical development. This includes issues like:
•misaligned teeth spacing
•abnormal jaw formation
•difficulty learning how to speak
Other complications of having a big tongue can affect people of all ages:
If your tongue changes in any way, call a doctor. You should also have an appointment with a doctor if you have:
•tongue swelling
•discoloration on your tongue
•tongue pain
•difficulty talking, eating, or breathing
•frequently accidentally biting your tongue
A doctor will use various tests to diagnose macroglossia. This includes:
•Physical exam. A doctor will check the size of your tongue in proportion to the rest of your mouth. They’ll also look for lesions, swelling, or discoloration.
•Medical history. To narrow down what’s causing your enlarged tongue, your doctor will ask questions about your other symptoms.
•Blood tests. Depending on your physical exam and medical history, your doctor will recommend certain blood tests. This might include tests like a thyroid function test.
Speech therapy
Speech therapy is used to treat mild macroglossia. A speech therapist teaches you how to control your tongue position and improve how you speak.
Medications
If the underlying cause can be treated with medication, a doctor will likely prescribe it. Some conditions that can be treated with medication include: •hypothyroidism •acromegaly •tuberculosis
Orthodontic treatment
Macroglossia may be associated with dental issues, like misaligned teeth spacing. If so, orthodontic treatment is necessary. This may also be used after macroglossia surgery.
Macroglossia is usually caused by an underlying condition. When it’s present at birth, it’s often caused by genetic disorders like Down syndrome or congenital hypothyroidism. It can also develop later in life due to physical trauma, acromegaly, acquired hypothyroidism, or inflammatory conditions.
Symptoms of macroglossia include difficulty talking, breathing, and eating. It can also increase your risk of biting or injuring your tongue. If left untreated, it can cause an airway obstruction and prevent oxygen from getting to your brain.
What causes macroglossia? The cause of macroglossia is dependent on any underlying condition. For example: A congenital vascular malformation extends into the body of the tongue; Abnormalities in the expression of genes on chromosome 11n cause muscular hyperplasia in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Mar 17, 2022 · Macroglossia, sometimes called giant tongue or enlarged tongue, is a rare condition that typically affects more children than adults. Most people have macroglossia because they have other conditions, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or Down syndrome.
Aug 16, 2019 · Macroglossia is the medical term used to describe an unusually large tongue. This usually occurs due to an increase in tissue, rather than a growth. It may also be referred to as giant tongue or enlarged tongue.
Aug 8, 2023 · In relative macroglossia, the tongue appears larger than compared to other structures in the oral cavity. Prominent examples include Down syndrome, where tongue appears enlarged due to hypotonia and Pierre Robin syndrome due to micrognathia.
