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.