Big Tongue (Macroglossia) Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

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What Is Macroglossia, aka Having a Big Tongue?

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Kirsten Nunez on October 11, 2021

Symptoms
Macroglossia causes
Is it a syndrome?
Macroglossia risk factors
Seeking medical help
Diagnosis
Treatment
Summary

big tongue, closeup of tongue — Pawel Wewiorski/Getty Images

Can your tongue be too big for your mouth?

Macroglossia happens when your tongue is enlarged or oversized. It’s also called a “big tongue” or “enlarged tongue.” Since the tongue is part of your digestive system, it’s considered to be a digestive system disorder.

In most cases, macroglossia is a symptom of an underlying condition. The condition might be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later in life). However, it’s possible to be born with macroglossia without a known underlying cause.

Having a large tongue can cause complications, like difficulty eating or breathing. For some people, having a big tongue is also a cosmetic issue.

Read on to learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of macroglossia.

Symptoms of having a large tongue

Symptoms of macroglossia include:

tongue sticking out of the mouth
snoring
difficulty talking, eating, or breathing
high-pitched sound while breathing (stridor)
drooling
abnormal growth of jaws and teeth
frequently biting or injuring your tongue

Why is my tongue so big?

There are many possible causes of macroglossia:

Congenital syndromes

Commonly, macroglossia that’s present at birth is caused by a syndrome like:

Down syndrome
Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome
Hunter syndrome
Hurler syndrome
Robinow syndrome
Maroteux-Lamy syndrome
Crouzon syndrome
Apert syndrome

Congenital muscular dystrophy

Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the muscle. It causes low muscle tone, also called hypotonia, and muscle weakness that worsens over time.

Macroglossia is a symptom of CMD. Other symptoms include:

overgrowth of leg muscles
weakness of arm muscles
delays in motor development
difficulty breathing

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is when the body of an adult makes too many growth hormones. This causes tissues, like the tongue, to overgrow.

Other symptoms include:

large hands and feet
difficulty sleeping
larger facial features

Typically, acromegaly develops gradually.

Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that may be inherited or acquired. It occurs when amyloid, an abnormal protein, builds up in the organs. This causes organ damage, affecting how the organs work.

Amyloidosis may involve the:

digestive system
heart
kidneys
nervous system
liver
spleen

A 2020 case report showed that if amyloidosis affects the digestive system, it may cause macroglossia. This is the most common oral symptom of amyloidosis.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid, happens when the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. It can be present at birth or develop later in life.

The condition can lead to a buildup of sugar molecules inside the tongue, leading to macroglossia.

Hemangioma

A hemangioma is a noncancerous tumor made of blood vessels. Most hemangiomas become visible soon after birth.

Often, hemangiomas occur in the head and neck area. A hemangioma on the tongue can lead to macroglossia.

Inflammatory conditions

Inflammatory disorders can cause macroglossia, such as:

glossitis
tuberculosis
syphilis
sarcoidosis
polymyositis
certain cancers

Physical trauma

Physical trauma to the tongue can lead to swelling, resulting in macroglossia. In this case, it’s known as traumatic macroglossia.

This may happen as a complication of certain surgeries, like those that involve the:

cervical spine
craniofacial area
posterior fossa

An injury to the tongue may also cause macroglossia.

Is having a big tongue a symptom of a syndrome?

Sometimes, an enlarged tongue is a symptom of a congenital syndrome.

Syndromes that may cause an enlarged tongue include:

Down syndrome
Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome
Hunter syndrome and Hurler syndrome
Robinow syndrome
Maroteux-Lamy syndrome
Crouzon syndrome
Apert syndrome

Potential risks of having a big tongue

If left untreated, macroglossia can cause complications.

Macroglossia that’s present at birth can affect physical development. This includes issues like:

misaligned teeth spacing
abnormal jaw formation
difficulty learning how to speak

Other complications of having a big tongue can affect people of all ages:

difficulty breathing
airway obstruction
difficulty chewing
pain in the temporomandibular joint
high risk of tongue injury (due to exposure)
dry mouth
recurrent upper respiratory tract infections
drooling

In severe cases, an airway obstruction can prevent oxygen from reaching the brain, and eventually lead to cardiac arrest.

When to call a doctor

If your tongue changes in any way, call a doctor. You should also have an appointment with a doctor if you have:

tongue swelling
discoloration on your tongue
tongue pain
difficulty talking, eating, or breathing
frequently accidentally biting your tongue
new or increased snoring

If your child experiences any of the above symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor.

How is macroglossia diagnosed?

A doctor will use various tests to diagnose macroglossia. This includes:

Physical exam. A doctor will check the size of your tongue in proportion to the rest of your mouth. They’ll also look for lesions, swelling, or discoloration.
Medical history. To narrow down what’s causing your enlarged tongue, your doctor will ask questions about your other symptoms.
Blood tests. Depending on your physical exam and medical history, your doctor will recommend certain blood tests. This might include tests like a thyroid function test.
Imaging tests. An imaging test, like a CT or MRI scan, will let your doctor examine the tissues in and around your mouth.

How is macroglossia treated?

In general, macroglossia treatment involves treating the underlying condition. Treatment options include:

Speech therapy

Speech therapy is used to treat mild macroglossia. A speech therapist teaches you how to control your tongue position and improve how you speak.

Medications

If the underlying cause can be treated with medication, a doctor will likely prescribe it. Some conditions that can be treated with medication include:

hypothyroidism
acromegaly
tuberculosis

Orthodontic treatment

Macroglossia may be associated with dental issues, like misaligned teeth spacing. If so, orthodontic treatment is necessary. This may also be used after macroglossia surgery.

Surgery

About 10 percent of macroglossia cases require surgery. This involves a glossectomy, which is a surgery that removes part of the tongue.

Surgery has several benefits for macroglossia, including:

reduced drooling
improved ability to eat
improved speech

Takeaway

Macroglossia is usually caused by an underlying condition. When it’s present at birth, it’s often caused by genetic disorders like Down syndrome or congenital hypothyroidism. It can also develop later in life due to physical trauma, acromegaly, acquired hypothyroidism, or inflammatory conditions.

Symptoms of macroglossia include difficulty talking, breathing, and eating. It can also increase your risk of biting or injuring your tongue. If left untreated, it can cause an airway obstruction and prevent oxygen from getting to your brain.

Contact a doctor if your tongue changes in any way. Depending on your symptoms, you might need speech therapy, dental treatment, or medication to treat the underlying cause. Severe macroglossia may require surgery.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Amyloidosis. (n.d.).https://www.cancer.columbia.edu/cancer-types-care/types/amyloidosis/about-amyloidosis
Bigcas J-LM, et al. (2021). Glossectomy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560636/
Bouaoud J, et al. (2018). Severe macroglossia after posterior fossa and craniofacial surgery in children.https://www.ijoms.com/article/S0901-5027(17)31719-8/fulltext
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Dasanayaka DWVN, et al. (2020). Case report: Oral manifestations of systemic amyloidosis, an aid to diagnosis of multiple myeloma — report of two cases.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1808869420302329
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Sridharan GK, et al. (2021). Macroglossia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560545/

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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Kirsten Nunez on October 11, 2021

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