Macroglossia is a congenital disorder where the tongue is larger
than normal. It is enlarged because of an increase in the amount of
tissue, not because of a tumor or growth. There is also a perceived
macroglossia in Down syndrome possibly because the tongue
frequently protrudes.
Review Date: 05/12/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
