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Acromegaly (; from Ancient Greek ''akros'' "extreme" or "extremities" and ''megalos'' "large") is an extremely rare syndrome that results when the anterior pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH) after epiphyseal plate closure at puberty. If GH is produced in excess prior to epiphyseal plate closure, the result is gigantism (or giantism). A number of disorders may increase the pituitary's GH output, although most commonly it involves a tumor called pituitary adenoma, derived from a distinct type of cell (somatotrophs). Acromegaly most commonly affects adults in middle age, and can result in severe disfigurement and fatal complications if unchecked. Because of its pathogenesis and slow progression, it is hard to diagnose in the early stages and is frequently missed for years until changes in external features, especially of the face, become noticeable. ==Signs and symptoms== Features that result from high level of GH or expanding tumor include: * Soft tissue swelling visibly resulting in enlargement of the hands, feet, nose, lips and ears, and a general thickening of the skin * Soft tissue swelling of internal organs, notably the heart with attendant weakening of its muscularity, and the kidneys, also the vocal cords resulting in a characteristic thick, deep voice and slowing of speech * Generalized expansion of the skull at the fontanelle * Pronounced brow protrusion, often with ocular distension (frontal bossing) * Pronounced lower jaw protrusion (prognathism) with attendant macroglossia (enlargement of the tongue) and teeth spacing * Hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation and hyperhidrosis may occur in these patients.〔James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). ''Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology''. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.〕 * Acrochordon (skin tags) * Carpal tunnel syndrome Image:Acromegaly hands.JPEG|Compared with the hand of a typical person (left), the hand of a patient with acromegaly (right) is enlarged, with fingers that are widened, thickened and stubby, and with thicker soft tissue Image:Acromegaly prognathism.JPEG|Mandibular overgrowth leads to prognathism, maxillary widening, teeth spacing and malocclusion. File:Browprotrusion.jpg|Brow ridge and forehead protrusion remaining after tumor removal and tissue swelling eliminated File:Acromegalyteethgapping.jpg|Lower jaw showing the classic spacing of teeth due to acromegaly 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Acromegaly」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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