Describing organisms or structures that grow or turn in different directions, or eyes that do not align properly.
From Greek 'hetero-' (different) and 'tropic' (turning), used in both botanical and medical contexts since the 1800s.
The word 'heterotropic' works equally well for a plant's roots growing in unexpected directions or for misaligned eyes—showing how the same Greek roots work across completely different scientific fields!
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