Thyroglossal cyst

What it means

An abnormality of the thyroid gland owing to the presence of a fibrous cyst resulting from the persistence of the thyroglossal duct.

A developmental defect resulting in the presence of a thyroglossal cyst, a fibrous cyst that forms from a persistent thyroglossal duct. During the embryologic development of the thyroid gland, the precursor of the thyroid migrates from the base of the tongue inferiorly though the thyroglossal duct. This duct normally disappears following the development and migration of the thyroid gland, but if a portion of the duct remain it can form a thyroglossal cyst.

Rare diseases that can present with this1

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Thyroglossal duct cyst