Amyelencephalia

/əˌmaɪɛlɛnˈsɛfəliə/ noun

Definition

A severe birth defect where a baby is born without a brain or with a severely underdeveloped brain.

Etymology

From Greek a- (without) + myelos (marrow/spinal cord) + enkephalos (brain). This medical term combines elements meaning the absence of normal brain and spinal cord development.

Kelly Says

This is one of the most severe neural tube defects—it's so rare that its existence reminds us how complex the process of developing a brain and nervous system actually is during pregnancy.

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