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Acral Growth

Meaning

Acral growth is a clinical manifestation characterized by the abnormal and excessive enlargement of the body’s extremities, specifically the hands, feet, and certain facial features. This condition is a hallmark sign of chronic hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) and the resulting elevation in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which typically occurs after the fusion of the epiphyseal growth plates in adulthood. Observable changes include increased shoe and ring size, thickening of the soft tissues, and coarsening of the skin texture. These progressive physical alterations often lead to the eventual diagnosis of acromegaly, a neuroendocrine disorder.