Ectocardia

/ˌɛktoʊˈkɑrdiə/ noun

Definition

A rare congenital condition where the heart develops outside the chest cavity instead of inside it.

Etymology

From Greek 'ekto-' (outside) and 'kardia' (heart), literally meaning 'heart outside,' describing a severe birth defect in cardiac development and placement.

Kelly Says

Ectocardia is one of the most dramatic birth defects imaginable—the heart forms completely outside the ribcage—and studying it helped doctors understand how critical the timing and location of early development truly is.

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