goitre

goi·ter

(goy'tĕr)

A chronic enlargement of the thyroid gland, not due to a neoplasm, occurring endemically in some localities, especially regions where glaciation occurred and depleted the soil of iodine, and sporadically elsewhere.
Synonym(s): struma, goitre.

[Fr. from L. guttur, throat]

goitre

Enlargement of the THYROID GLAND from any cause. This may be due to overactivity of the gland in THYROTOXICOSIS, to HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS, to infective thyroiditis, to DYSHORMONOGENESIS, to cancer of the gland or to iodine deficiency.

goitre

an abnormal swelling of the neck due to enlargement of the thyroid gland. This may be because of a lack of iodine in the diet (simple goitre) or to overactivity of the gland (exophthalmic goitre).