anencephaly
Definition
Noun: A severe congenital defect in brain development where a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp fails to form. The condition results in the absence of a major part of the brain (the cerebrum and cerebellum) and the skull's vault.
Usage
Anencephaly is a medical term used specifically to describe this profound and fatal neural tube defect. It is typically diagnosed during pregnancy or at birth.
Examples
- The ultrasound revealed a severe neural tube defect, which was later confirmed to be anencephaly.
- Anencephaly is one of the most serious types of neural tube defect.
- Research into folic acid supplementation aims to prevent conditions like anencephaly.
Advanced Usage
- The term is used in clinical, genetic, and public health contexts to discuss congenital abnormalities, preventive measures, and ethical considerations in prenatal care.
- It can appear in formal discussions about teratology (the study of abnormalities of physiological development).
Variants and Related Words
- Anencephalic (adjective): Describing an infant or fetus with anencephaly.
- The anencephalic fetus could not survive outside the womb.
Synonyms
- None that are exact. It is a specific medical condition. Related broader terms include:
- Neural tube defect
- Congenital malformation
- Cephalic disorder
Related Phrases
- Diagnosis of anencephaly: The process of identifying the condition.
- Prevention of anencephaly: Refers to measures like folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy.
Notes
Anencephaly is not used in idioms or phrasal verbs due to its highly specific and technical medical nature. It is a non-count noun when referring to the condition as a general concept.
Noun
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a defect in brain development resulting in small or missing brain hemispheres
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