HETEROPAGUS Meaning and
Definition
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Heteropagus is a rare medical condition characterized by the abnormal connection or fusion of two or more individuals in a conjoined twin formation. Also referred to as parasitic twinning, it is a type of conjoined twinning where one twin, known as the autosite or dominant twin, develops normally, while the other twin, called the heteropagus or parasitic twin, has severe developmental abnormalities.
The heteropagus twin is physically connected to the autosite twin, typically at the abdomen or pelvis, and relies on the autosite for vital functions such as blood supply and nutrition. However, the heteropagus twin is not fully functional and often lacks independent body structures such as a heart, brain, or organs necessary for survival outside the autosite twin's body.
Heteropagus twins may exhibit a wide range of abnormalities, such as extra limbs, incomplete or deformed organs, or duplicated body parts. The condition arises during embryonic development when an embryo splits incompletely, leading to the formation of conjoined twins.
The management of heteropagus twins usually involves surgical intervention to separate the twins, aiming to improve the quality of life for the autosite twin and potentially save the heteropagus twin, though separation may be complex and risky depending on the extent of fusion and shared structures.
Medical advancements and improved surgical techniques have increased the chances of successful separation in some cases, providing hope for individuals affected by this rare condition.
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A twin monster in which the imperfectly developed parasite, having, however, a head and rudimentary extremities, is attached to the ventral portion of the autosite.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HETEROPAGUS
- heteropogous
- geteropagus
- beteropagus
- neteropagus
- jeteropagus
- ueteropagus
- yeteropagus
- hwteropagus
- hsteropagus
- hdteropagus
- hrteropagus
- h4teropagus
- h3teropagus
- hereropagus
- heferopagus
- hegeropagus
- heyeropagus
- he6eropagus
- he5eropagus
- hetwropagus
Etymology of HETEROPAGUS
The word "heteropagus" comes from the Greek roots "hetero-" meaning "other" or "different", and "pagos" meaning "an edge" or "a ledge". In medical terminology, "heteropagus" refers to a medical condition known as conjoined twins, where two individuals are joined together, with one twin being dependent on the other for survival.
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