Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Melia

Mel is from the Latin for limb.
  • Rhizomelia (rhizo= root): Shortened proximal segment of the limb (i.e., humerus and femur)
  • Mesomelia (meso= middle): Shortened intermediate segment of the limb (i.e., radius/ulna and tibia/fibula)
  • Acromelia (acro= tip/apex): Abnormalities of the distal segment of the limb (i.e., hands and feet). Brachydactyly is shortening of the digits only.
  • Micromelia: Generalized shortening of the entire limb.
  • Amelia: Absence of a limb
  • Hemimelia: Absence of a longitudinal segment of a limb (e.g., radial aplasia or hypoplasia)
  • Phocomelia (phoco=seal; evoking the flippers of seals): Hypoplasia of the limb with hands and/or feet attached to the shoulder and hips, respectively.
  • Sirenomelia: Congenital deformity where the legs are fused, giving the appearance of a mermaid's tail.

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