Gigantism, also known as giantism (from Greek γίγας gigas, “giant,” plural γίγαντες gigantes), is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average. In humans, this condition is caused by over-production of growth hormone in childhood resulting in people between 7 feet (2.13 m) and 9 feet (2.75 m) in height.
The term is typically applied to those whose height is not just in the upper 1% of the population but several standard deviations above mean for persons of the same sex, age, and ethnic ancestry. The term is seldom applied to those who are simply “tall” or “above average” whose heights appear to be the healthy result of normal genetics and nutrition. Gigantism is usually caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland of the brain. It causes growth of the hands, face, and feet. In some cases the condition can be passed on genetically through a mutated gene.
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Author: Wikipedia
Keywords: Gigantism, Acromegaly, Goliath, Goliath giant, David Goliath, Giant, How tall was Goliath, Height of Goliath, Pituitary
Bible reference(s): 1 Samuel 17:4-10, 1 Samuel 17:23, 1 Samuel 21:9, 1 Samuel 22:10, 2 Samuel 21:16, 2 Samuel 21:18-20, 2 Samuel 21:22, 1 Chronicles 20:4-6, 1 Chronicles 20:8, Judith 16:7, Wisdom of Solomon 14:6, Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 16:7, Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 47:4, Baruch 3:26, 1 Maccabees 3:3
Source: This article uses material from the Wikipedia article “Gigantism,” which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
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