How Do You Spell ACEPHALORRHACHIA?

Pronunciation: [ɐsˌɛfɐləɹˈe͡ɪʃə] (IPA)

The word "acephalorrhachia" is a rare medical term that refers to the congenital absence of the head and spine. Its unique spelling can be explained through its phonetic transcription: /əˌsɛfəloʊˈrækɪə/, with the stress on the third syllable. The "cephalo" prefix derives from the Greek word for "head," while "rrhachia" refers to "spine." The in-between letters "lo" and "ra" are connectors that help to verbalize the word smoothly. Although a difficult term to spell, acephalorrhachia is an important medical diagnosis to be aware of.

ACEPHALORRHACHIA Meaning and Definition

1. Acephalorrhachia is a medical term derived from the Greek words "a-" which means "without," "cephalo-" meaning "head," and "rrhachis" which refers to "spine" or "vertebrae." It is a rare congenital condition characterized by the complete absence or severe underdevelopment of the head and spinal cord.

   Individuals born with acephalorrhachia typically present with an incomplete or absent skull, exposing the brain directly. In some cases, there might be remnants of cranial tissue but lacking proper development. Similarly, the spinal cord may be absent or severely malformed, leading to various motor and sensory impairments. It is often associated with numerous other related developmental abnormalities in other parts of the body.

   Due to its complex nature, acephalorrhachia usually leads to a multitude of medical complications and is typically incompatible with life. Therefore, it is considered a lethal condition, with affected individuals often dying before birth or shortly after. The prevalence of acephalorrhachia is extremely low, making it a particularly rare condition.

   Given the severity and complexity of acephalorrhachia, treatment options are limited or non-existent. In rare cases where the condition is detected prenatally, families may choose to consider termination of the pregnancy. Genetic counseling can also be offered to families affected by acephalorrhachia to help them understand the cause and recurrence risks in future pregnancies. However, due to the rarity and complexity of the condition, research and understanding of acephalorrhachia remain limited.

2. Congenital absence of head and spinal column.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ACEPHALORRHACHIA

• acephalorachia
• acephalorrachia
• zcephalorrhachia
• scephalorrhachia
• wcephalorrhachia
• qcephalorrhachia
• axephalorrhachia
• avephalorrhachia
• afephalorrhachia
• adephalorrhachia
• acwphalorrhachia
• acsphalorrhachia
• acdphalorrhachia
• acrphalorrhachia
• ac4phalorrhachia
• ac3phalorrhachia
• aceohalorrhachia
• acelhalorrhachia
• ace-halorrhachia
• ace0halorrhachia

Etymology of ACEPHALORRHACHIA

The word "acephalorrhachia" is a medical term that combines three Greek roots: "a-" meaning "without", "cephalo-" meaning "head", and "rrhachia" meaning "spinal cord".

The term is derived from "acephalos", meaning "headless", and "rhakhis", meaning "spinal column". When combined, "acephalorrhachia" refers to a condition in which the spinal cord is absent or missing.