ANENCEPHALOUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Anencephalous is an adjective that refers to a rare medical condition characterized by the incomplete development or absence of the brain and parts of the skull. The term derives from the Greek word "anenkephalos," meaning "without a brain."
Individuals with anencephaly typically have a severely underdeveloped brain or only a small portion of the brain stem, resulting in a lack of higher brain function. This condition occurs during early embryonic development, usually within the first month of pregnancy, when the neural tube fails to close properly. As a result, the skull and brain fail to fully develop, leading to significant cognitive impairment or even the absence of consciousness.
Persons with anencephaly are typically born with a rudimentary brain and only primitive reflex actions, as the majority of the brain, including the cerebral cortex responsible for complex thinking, is missing. Due to the extent of brain defects, anencephalous individuals are typically unable to survive for an extended period of time. Many infants with anencephaly are stillborn or die shortly after birth.
The condition not only affects the physical well-being of the individual but also emotionally impacts the families and caregivers involved. The diagnosis of anencephaly is usually made during prenatal screenings or through ultrasound imaging, allowing parents to make informed decisions regarding medical intervention or end-of-life care.
Overall, anencephalous is a term used in the medical field to describe an extremely rare and severe neurological condition characterized by the incomplete development or absence of the brain.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ANENCEPHALOUS
- znencephalous
- snencephalous
- wnencephalous
- qnencephalous
- abencephalous
- amencephalous
- ajencephalous
- ahencephalous
- anwncephalous
- ansncephalous
- andncephalous
- anrncephalous
- an4ncephalous
- an3ncephalous
- anebcephalous
- anemcephalous
- anejcephalous
- anehcephalous
- anenxephalous
Etymology of ANENCEPHALOUS
The word "anencephalous" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots. The prefix "an-" means "without" or "lack of", and "encephalous" stems from the root "enkephalos", which refers to the brain. Therefore, "anencephalous" is used to describe a medical condition or congenital anomaly where an individual is born without a brain or partial brain development.
Similar spelling words for ANENCEPHALOUS
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
