gigantism

gi·gan·tism

G0122200 (jī-găn′tĭz′əm)n.1. The quality or state of being gigantic; abnormally large size.2. Excessive growth of the body or any of its parts, especially as a result of oversecretion of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland. Also called giantism.

gigantism

(ˈdʒaɪɡænˌtɪzəm; dʒaɪˈɡæntɪzəm) n1. (Pathology) Also called: giantism excessive growth of the entire body, caused by over-production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland during childhood or adolescence. Compare acromegaly2. the state or quality of being gigantic

gi•gan•tism

(dʒaɪˈgæn tɪz əm, dʒɪ-, ˈdʒaɪ gænˌtɪz əm)

n. great overgrowth in size of the body or developmentally related parts of the body. [1880–85]

gigantism

Medicine. the condition of abnormally great development in size or stature of the whole body or any of its parts, most often caused by a pituitary disorder. Cf. nanism.See also: Size

gigantism

Oversecretion of growth hormone in childhood, resulting in taller-than-average stature. If the oversecretion occurs in adulthood, the condition is acromegaly, resulting in a thickening of facial bones and fingers.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	gigantism - excessive size; usually caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary glandgiantism, overgrowthhyperpituitarism - excessive activity of the pituitary gland (especially overactivity of the anterior lobe which leads to excess secretion of growth hormone)hypertrophy - abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ
	2.	gigantism - excessive largeness of staturegiantismbigness, largeness - the property of having a relatively great size

Translations

gigantism

gigantism,

condition in which an animal or plant is far greater than normal in size. Plants are often deliberately bred to increase their size. However, among animals, gigantism is usually the result of hereditary and glandular disturbance. Among humans, gigantism is produced by an oversecretion of growth hormones by the acidophilic cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary, causing excessive growth of all the tissues of the body. The metabolic rate is usually at least 20% above normal, which could be caused by an excess of the growth hormone alone, or oversecretion of the thyroid hormone in addition. Usually hyperglycemia (overactivity of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas) is present. This condition eventually leads to degeneration of the islet cells, causing diabetes. Because of these metabolic abnormalities, the life expectancy of a giant is considerably less than normal. The treatment for gigantism is usually irradiation of the pituitary. The excessive height of the pituitary giant, which is defined at various levels above 7 ft (213 cm), is caused by excessive growth of the long bones. However, if the pituitary becomes overactive after growth is complete (marked by closure of the epiphyses of the long bones), the condition known as acromegalyacromegaly
, adult endocrine disorder resulting from hypersecretion of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Since the bones cannot increase in length after full growth is attained, there is a disproportionate thickening of bones, predominantly in the skull and small
..... Click the link for more information. results. Giantsgiant,
in mythology, manlike being of great size and strength. The giant has been the symbol for the expression of certain recurring beliefs in the mythologies of all races.
..... Click the link for more information. appear in the legends and folklore of many cultures.

Gigantism

excessive growth in humans. A height exceeding 190 cm may acquire a pathological character. Giants over 200 cm tall are rarely encountered; the tallest human described in the literature was 320 cm tall. Gigantism is observed more often in males, is usually manifested at nine-ten years of age or during the period of sexual maturation, and continues during the physiological growth of the body. The causes of gigantism are not known; it is presumed that it is connected with intensified function of the anterior pituitary gland, which produces the growth hormone. Giants of pathological height experience poor health and rarely live to old age. They are often psychologically infantile, and their sex drive is absent or decreased. Externally, there is elongation of the extremities, especially the lower ones; the head appears unusually small. There exists partial gigantism, which is characterized by the enlargement of part (for example, the feet) or half of the body. Treatment includes X-ray and hormone therapy, sometimes surgery.

gigantism

[jī′gan‚tiz·əm] (medicine) Abnormal largeness of the body due to hypersecretion of growth hormone.

See

gigantism

enUK

gigantism

[ji-gan´tizm, ji´gan-tizm] abnormal overgrowth of the body or a part; excessive size and stature. Generally applied to a rare abnormality of the pituitary gland, which secretes excessive growth hormone before the growing ends of the bones have closed. This causes a child to become an unusually tall adult; if the abnormality is extreme, the individual may reach a height of 2.4 meters (8 feet) or more, although the body proportions usually are normal.
The opposite condition, dwarfism, is caused by underproduction of the same hormone. (Overproduction of growth hormone in adults causes acromegaly.) Gigantism can be corrected only by early diagnosis in childhood and removal by surgery of part of the pituitary gland or by x-ray treatment.cerebral gigantism gigantism in the absence of increased levels of growth hormone, attributed to a cerebral defect; infants are large, and accelerated growth continues for the first 4 or 5 years, the rate being normal thereafter. The hands and feet are large, the head is large, narrow and long, and the eyes have an antimongoloid slant with an abnormally wide space between them. The child is clumsy, and mental retardation of varying degree is usually present. Called also Sotos syndrome.pituitary gigantism that caused by oversecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland; see gigantism. Called also Launois syndrome.

gi·gan·tism

(jī'gan-tizm, jī-gan'tizm), A condition of abnormal size or overgrowth of the entire body or of any of its parts. Synonym(s): giantism [G. gigas, giant]

gigantism

(jī-găn′tĭz′əm)n.1. The quality or state of being gigantic; abnormally large size.2. Excessive growth of the body or any of its parts, especially as a result of oversecretion of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland. Also called giantism.

gi·gan·tism

(jī-gant'izm) A condition of abnormal size or overgrowth of the entire body or of any of its parts.
Synonym(s): giantism. [G. gigas, giant]

gigantism

Excessive body growth. This is usually the result of an abnormal production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland in childhood, before the growing ends of the bones (the epiphyses) have fused. The excess hormone production is almost always due to a benign tumour-a pituitary adenoma. The height may exceed 2.4 m. Excess growth hormone after fusion of the epiphyses causes ACROMEGALY.

gigantism

a rare human condition in which excess production of GROWTH HORMONE by the anterior PITUITARY GLAND during childhood and adolescence causes over-elongation of bones, producing a pituitary giant. See also ACROMEGALY. Compare DWARFISM.

Gigantism

Excessive growth, especially in height, resulting from overproduction during childhood or adolescence of growth hormone by a pituitary tumor. Untreated, the tumor eventually destroys the pituitary gland, resulting in death during early adulthood. If the tumor develops after growth has stopped, the result is acromegaly, not gigantism.Mentioned in: Growth Hormone Tests

gi·gan·tism

(jī-gant'izm) A condition of abnormal size or overgrowth of the entire body or of any of its parts. Also called giantism.

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Synonyms for gigantism

noun excessive size

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noun excessive largeness of stature

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