Facies

Facies is a term used in medicine to describe the outward appearance or phenotype of an individual, which may be influenced by a particular condition or disorder. This can include specific facial features, body habitus, or other physical characteristics that are often associated with certain medical conditions.

Definition

The term facies is derived from the Latin word for "face", and in medical terminology, it is used to describe the outward appearance of an individual, particularly the face. This can include specific facial features, body habitus, or other physical characteristics that are often associated with certain medical conditions. For example, the Down syndrome facies includes features such as slanted eyes, a flat nasal bridge, and a protruding tongue.

Clinical Significance

Facies can be a useful diagnostic tool in medicine. Certain medical conditions are associated with characteristic facies, and recognizing these can aid in diagnosis. For example, individuals with Cushing's syndrome often have a "moon facies" characterized by round, puffy cheeks and a large, round face. Similarly, individuals with Marfan syndrome often have a "dolichocephalic" facies characterized by a long, narrow face, high arched palate, and crowded teeth.

Examples of Facies

There are many examples of specific facies associated with medical conditions. These include:

• Down syndrome facies: Characterized by slanted eyes, a flat nasal bridge, and a protruding tongue.
• Cushing's syndrome facies: Characterized by round, puffy cheeks and a large, round face.
• Marfan syndrome facies: Characterized by a long, narrow face, high arched palate, and crowded teeth.
• Turner syndrome facies: Characterized by a broad chest, low hairline, and low-set ears.
• Fetal alcohol syndrome facies: Characterized by small eye openings, a thin upper lip, and a smooth philtrum.

See Also

• Phenotype
• Genotype
• Syndrome
• Diagnosis

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