gynecomastia, gynecomasty

Excessive development of the male mammary glands, due mainly to ductal proliferation with periductal edema; frequently secondary to increased estrogen levels, but mild g. may occur in normal adolescence. [gyneco- + G. mastos, breast]

- refeeding g. temporary breast enlargement seen in male patients who have been starving, when nutritional repletion is occurring. It probably represents an imbalance in endocrine function, as some systems increase function before others; seen most notably when concentration camp inmates and Allied prisoners of war were freed at the end of World War II.