Explain how thyroglossal cysts are formed
- During embryological development, the thyroid descends from the tongue base to its position in the neck through the thyroglossal duct. Thyroglossal cysts occur when the duct fails to regress.
- A thyroglossal cyst is a differential for a midline neck mass. It will rise up on protrusion of the tongue on examination.
- During removal, the middle 1/3 of the hyoid bone should also be excised to prevent recurrence.