What disease leads to elongation and enlargement of the hands, feet, and jaw in adults?

Acromegaly is characterized by the elongation and enlargement of the hands, feet, and jaw in adults. This condition is typically caused by an overproduction of growth hormone, often due to a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. In adults, once the growth plates have closed, excess growth hormone does not lead to increased height as it would in children; instead, it causes the bones and soft tissues to grow thicker and larger. Hence, individuals with acromegaly often experience pronounced changes in their facial features, such as a protruding jaw, and increased size of extremities.

Gigantism, on the other hand, occurs in children and adolescents whose growth plates have not yet closed, resulting in excessive growth in height as well as increased hand and foot size.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue, leading to features such as long limbs and fingers, but does not typically result in the same pattern of bone and tissue enlarge experienced in acromegaly.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by reduced bone mass and density, leading to an increased risk of fractures, but does not involve significant enlargement of the hands, feet, or jaw.

Thus, acromegaly is the correct answer as it