pho·co·me·li·a (f  k-m  l- , -mly)n. A birth defect in which the upper portion of a limb is absent or poorly developed, so that the hand or foot attaches to the body by a short, flipperlike stump. [New Latin ph comelia : Greek phk, seal + Greek melos, limb.] |
phocomelia [ˌfəʊkəʊˈmiːlɪə], phocomely [fəʊˈkɒməlɪ]
n
(Medicine / Pathology) a congenital deformity resulting from prenatal interference with the development of the fetal limbs, characterized esp by short stubby hands or feet attached close to the body
[via New Latin from Greek phōkē a seal + melos a limb]
phocomelic adj
phocomelia, phocomely
a deformity, usually congenital, in which the extremities of the limbs are abnormally short.
See also: Body, Human
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | phocomelia - an abnormality of development in which the upper part of an arm or leg is missing so the hands or feet are attached to the body like stumps; rare condition that results from taking thalidomide during pregnancy meromelia - congenital absence of part of an arm or leg |
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