Ectopic thyroid is the presence of thyroid tissue outside its normal cervical seat. It results from abnormal embryological development. We report the case of an ectopic lingual thyroid found during maneuvers of intubation in a patient of 56 years old. The examination found a rhonchopathy with sleep apnea syndrome and sleep in a sitting position. Endoscopy showed a posterior lingual tumour. The cervical echography showed an absent thyroid in the normal place. Scintigraphy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic lingual thyroid position. The treatment consisted of surgical excision by cervical route after a safety tracheotomy.