Anencephaly is a rare and fatal birth defect that occurs when the neural tube fails to close completely during fetal development. It is a condition that affects the brain and skull of the baby, leading to incomplete brain development and the absence of major parts of the skull. In this article, we will discuss the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of anencephaly.
Definitions
Anencephaly is a congenital malformation that results from the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. It is a neural tube defect that occurs during the first month of pregnancy when the neural tube fails to close completely. This condition is characterized by the absence of the cerebral hemispheres, the cerebellum, and the overlying skull and scalp.
Origin
The word anencephaly is derived from the Greek words “an” meaning without and “enkephalos” meaning brain. The first documented case of anencephaly was reported in 1817 by the French physician, Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, anencephaly is defined as “a congenital absence of the brain and cranial vault.” The Oxford English dictionary defines it as “a congenital absence of the brain and skull.”
Associations
Anencephaly is associated with a number of risk factors, including a family history of neural tube defects, maternal obesity, diabetes, and exposure to certain chemicals and drugs during pregnancy. It is more common in females than males and occurs in about 1 in 1,000 pregnancies.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of anencephaly include:
- Cerebral aplasia.
- Acrania.
- Exencephaly.
- Incomplete cephalic disorder.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms for anencephaly since it is a medical condition and not a concept that can be opposed.
The same root words
Some words that share the same root as anencephaly include:
- Encephalitis.
- Encephalopathy.
- Encephalocele.
- Encephalogram.
Example Sentences
- The baby was diagnosed with anencephaly during the ultrasound.
- Anencephaly is a rare and fatal condition that affects the brain and skull of the baby.
- The couple was devastated when they found out that their baby had anencephaly.
- The doctor explained that anencephaly is a neural tube defect that occurs during fetal development.
- Anencephaly is a congenital malformation that results from the incomplete closure of the neural tube.
Anencephaly is a rare and fatal birth defect that affects the brain and skull of the baby. It is a condition that results from the incomplete closure of the neural tube during fetal development. Anencephaly is associated with a number of risk factors and occurs in about 1 in 1,000 pregnancies. There are no known antonyms for anencephaly, but there are several synonyms and related words that share the same root. Early detection and proper medical care are essential for managing this condition.