acromegaly

American  

[ak-ruh-meg-uh-lee] / ˌæk rəˈmɛg ə li /

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.

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acromegaly British  

/ ˌækrəʊˈmɛɡəlɪ /

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

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Other Word Forms

• pseudoacromegaly
  noun
• acromegalic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of acromegaly

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

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Compare meaning

How does acromegaly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• acromegaly vs. gigantism

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acromegaly

Crinetics Chief Executive Scott Struthers said Vertex’s global infrastructure and commercial footprint would maximize the impact of Palsonify, an oral therapy for adults with acromegaly.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

If untreated, acromegaly can lead to serious health problems and shorten life expectancy by about 10 years.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2026

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 ● Jan. 24, 2023

Untreated, patients with acromegaly will often have obstructive sleep apnea from enlarging tissues in the mouth and throat, high blood pressure, joint breakdown and sometimes an enlarged but weakened heart.

From New York Times ● Jun. 15, 2022

It may be added that acromegaly, with its excessive bony growths, tends to be associated with premature sexual involution.

From Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 5 Erotic Symbolism; The Mechanism of Detumescence; The Psychic State in Pregnancy by Havelock Ellis

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