Dysmorphology
Dysmorphology
Dysmorphology (pronunciation: dis-mor-fo-lo-ji) is a branch of clinical genetics that involves the study of human congenital disorders, particularly those affecting the physical structure or morphology of the individual.
Etymology
The term 'Dysmorphology' is derived from the Greek words 'dys' meaning 'bad' or 'difficult', 'morph' meaning 'shape' or 'form', and 'ology' meaning 'study of'. Thus, it literally translates to 'the study of bad or difficult forms'.
Related Terms
- Clinical genetics: The medical specialty that provides a diagnostic service and "genetic counselling" for individuals or families with, or at risk of, conditions which may have a genetic basis.
- Congenital disorder: Also known as birth defects, these are structural or functional anomalies that occur during intrauterine life and can be identified prenatally, at birth, or sometimes may only be detected later in infancy.
- Morphology (biology): The study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features.
- Genetic disorder: A genetic problem caused by one or more abnormalities in the genome, especially a condition that is present from birth.
- Teratology: The study of abnormalities of physiological development. It is often thought of as the study of human congenital abnormalities, but it is broader than that, taking into account other non-birth developmental stages, including puberty; and other organisms, including plants.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dysmorphology
- Wikipedia's article - Dysmorphology
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