HEMICRANIAL ANENCEPHALY Meaning and
Definition
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Hemicranial Anencephaly is a rare and severe congenital malformation characterized by the incomplete development of the brain and skull on one side of the head. The term "hemicranial" refers to the condition being limited to only one side of the cranium or skull. "Anencephaly" signifies the absence of a major portion of the brain, including the cerebral hemispheres, which are responsible for higher functions like cognition, consciousness, and voluntary movements.
In hemicranial anencephaly, the affected side of the head may appear flattened or smaller compared to the unaffected side. This condition usually arises during early embryonic development when the neural tube, which typically forms the brain and spinal cord, fails to close properly. As a result, the affected side of the brain does not fully develop, leading to a range of abnormalities.
Infants with hemicranial anencephaly often have various associated neurological deficits, such as motor impairments, intellectual disabilities, seizures, and visual or hearing impairments. Additionally, they may experience physical abnormalities, including facial asymmetry, malformed or absent ears, and craniofacial abnormalities.
Due to the severe nature of this condition and the associated neurological complications, hemicranial anencephaly is often incompatible with life, resulting in early neonatal death. However, in some cases where the skull and brain abnormalities are less severe, affected individuals may survive longer with intensive medical management and supportive care.
Common Misspellings for HEMICRANIAL ANENCEPHALY
- gemicranial anencephaly
- bemicranial anencephaly
- nemicranial anencephaly
- jemicranial anencephaly
- uemicranial anencephaly
- yemicranial anencephaly
- hwmicranial anencephaly
- hsmicranial anencephaly
- hdmicranial anencephaly
- hrmicranial anencephaly
- h4micranial anencephaly
- h3micranial anencephaly
- henicranial anencephaly
- hekicranial anencephaly
- hejicranial anencephaly
- hemucranial anencephaly
- hemjcranial anencephaly
- hemkcranial anencephaly
- hemocranial anencephaly
- hem9cranial anencephaly
Etymology of HEMICRANIAL ANENCEPHALY
The word "hemicranial anencephaly" is a medical term that combines two Greek roots: "hemi" meaning "half" and "cranium" meaning "skull", with "anencephaly" meaning "absence of brain".
The term "hemicranial" refers to the condition affecting half of the skull, while "anencephaly" describes the absence of major parts of the brain and skull. The combining of these terms creates "hemicranial anencephaly" as a specific medical condition characterized by the incomplete development of the brain and skull on one side.
