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Medical Definition of Thyrolingual duct
1. A transitory endodermal tube in the embryo, carrying thyroid-forming tissue at its caudal end; normally, the duct disappears after the thyroid has moved to its definitive location in the neck; its point of origin is regularly marked on the root of the adult tongue by the foramen caecum; occasionally, its incomplete regression results in the formation of cysts along its embryonic course. See: pyramidal lobe of thyroid gland. Synonym: ductus thyroglossus, thyrolingual duct. (05 Mar 2000)