Definition

1. Noun:
   • A developmental abnormality in which there is only one eye: "Cyclopia" refers to a severe congenital disorder where a fetus or newborn has a single, centrally located eye, or the appearance of a single eye due to the fusion of the eye sockets. This condition is typically associated with other severe brain and facial malformations and is not compatible with life.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cyclopia is an extremely rare condition in humans.
  • The diagnosis of cyclopia was confirmed by the prenatal ultrasound.
  • The medical literature describes cyclopia as a severe form of holoprosencephaly.

Advanced Usage

• "Cyclopia sequence": A term sometimes used to describe the spectrum of anomalies associated with cyclopia.
  • The fetus exhibited the full cyclopia sequence, including proboscis formation.
• In a descriptive or comparative context:
  • The mythological Cyclops is often referenced in discussions of cyclopia, though the conditions are distinct.

Variants and Related Words

• Cyclopean (adj): Pertaining to or resembling a Cyclops; sometimes used metaphorically to describe something of immense size or primitive, monolithic construction (e.g., ). In a medical context, it is rarely used as a synonym for "cyclopian" (relating to cyclopia).
• Holoprosencephaly (n): The broader category of brain development disorders of which cyclopia is the most severe form.
• Synophthalmia (n): A related, less severe condition where two eyes are partially fused into one structure.

Synonyms

• Synophthalmia (though this specifies fusion of eye tissues, it is often used in a related context).
• Monophthalmia (a more general term for having one eye, which can be acquired, whereas cyclopia is specifically congenital).

Related Phrases and Terms

• Proboscis: A tubular, trunk-like appendage often present above the single eye in cyclopia.
  • The characteristic proboscis was evident in the case of cyclopia.
• Alobar holoprosencephaly: The specific type of holoprosencephaly associated with cyclopia.

Noun

1. a developmental abnormality in which there is only one eye