Amyelencephalous

/əˌmaɪɛlɛnˈsɛfələs/ adjective

Definition

Affected by or showing the characteristics of amyelencephalia; lacking a developed brain and spinal cord.

Etymology

From amyelencephalia + -ous (adjective suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by'). This alternative adjectival form emphasizes the quality or state of having this severe developmental defect.

Kelly Says

Medical English loves having multiple ways to say the same thing—'amyelencephalic' and 'amyelencephalous' both describe the same tragic condition, but different doctors prefer different versions.

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