Glossoptosis

Definition:

Subjective: Posterior displacement of the tongue into the pharynx

Comments:

Presumably, use of the suffix "ptosis" refers to the situation where the patient is supine, and the displacement is downward. Strictly speaking, the term glossoptosis indicates "falling" of the tongue and thus can also be forward displacement; however by convention it is only used for backward displacement. Glossoptosis may cause obstruction of the airway.

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