Final answer:
Exophthalmos refers to bulging eyeballs and is often associated with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to bulging eyeballs is exophthalmos. Exophthalmos is a condition characterized by the protrusion or bulging of the eyeballs out of the eye sockets. It can be associated with several medical conditions, such as Graves' disease, which is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland.
Graves' disease causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and bulging eyeballs. Excessive hormone production can cause enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as a goiter, and in some cases, it can result in exophthalmos.
Exophthalmos is typically caused by the accumulation of fluid and excess tissue behind the eyeballs. It can cause discomfort, and vision problems, and may require medical intervention depending on the underlying cause.