Abstract
Introduction
Representations of thyroid swelling, intended as an enlarged anterior neck in the artworks of various periods are sporadically reported in the literature.
Materials and methods
An African statue belonging to the African Yoruba culture has been analysed.
Results
Members of Ogboni Society in Yoruba culture used this statues to represent a real subject and to communicate between the living and dead.
Conclusion
The statue reported seems to represent a case of real goiter.
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References
Merke F (1984) History and Iconography of endemic goiter and cretinism. Hans Huber publ, Berne-Stuttgart
Wells C (1968) Goitre in two African sculptures. Med Hist 12:89–91
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Accorona, R., Calabrese, L. African statue with goiter. J Endocrinol Invest 42, 1253–1254 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01024-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01024-7