Acephal

/ˈæ.sɪ.fəl/ adjective

Definition

Lacking a head or having no distinct head structure; in biology, describing organisms or larvae without a well-developed head region.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'kephalē' (head). The word appears in scientific descriptions of invertebrate organisms and developmental biology, particularly for headless larvae or anomalous specimens.

Kelly Says

Acephal creatures sound like science fiction, but many insect larvae are naturally acephal—they develop a head later—and in medical history, acephal occasionally referred to conjoined twins or birth anomalies that fascinated and horrified observers.

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