African statue with goiter.

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.