Neck Swellings: Goiter or Not?

To determine whether a midline neck swelling is caused by a thyroglossal cyst or by enlargement of the thyroid gland, ask the patient to open his or her mouth and move the tongue in and out. Thyroglossal cysts move with the movements of the tongue, whereas swellings that represent thyroid gland enlargement move with swallowing.

  — Mohammed M. Basha, MD 
       Gainesville, Fla