Acephaly (Noun)
Meaning
Absence of the head (as in the development of some monsters).
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The rare congenital disorder known as acephaly results in the absence of the head, making it one of the most severe forms of birth defects.
- In some cases of acephaly, the fetus may develop without a head, but still have a functioning body, leading to a short and often fatal life.
- Acephaly is often associated with other severe birth defects, such as spina bifida and heart defects, making it a complex condition to diagnose and treat.
- The term acephaly comes from the Greek words "a" meaning "without" and "kephalē" meaning "head", literally describing the absence of a head in affected individuals.
- Acephaly is usually diagnosed during pregnancy through ultrasound or other imaging tests, allowing parents to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.