Aglossia (aglossia congenita) is a
congenital defect
A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities can r ...
resulting in a partial development or complete absence of a
tongue
The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a typical tetrapod. It manipulates food for mastication and swallowing as part of the digestive process, and is the primary organ of taste. The tongue's upper surface (dorsum) is covered by taste ...
.
Aglossia is commonly associated with
craniofacial Craniofacial (''cranio-'' combining form meaning head or skull + ''-facial'' combining form referring to the facial structures grossly) is an adjective referring to the parts of the head enclosing the brain and the face.
The term is typically used ...
and limb defects (
Adactylia syndrome) and is thought to belong to a family of
oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome (OLHS). It is believed to be caused by heat-induced
vascular
The blood vessels are the components of the circulatory system that transport blood throughout the human body. These vessels transport blood cells, nutrients, and oxygen to the tissues of the body. They also take waste and carbon dioxide away f ...
disruption near the fourth week of
embryonic development.
The first known case was reported in the early 18th century by a member of the prominent
De Jussieu
De Jussieu, the name of a French family which came into prominence towards the close of the sixteenth century, and was known for a century and a half for the botanists it produced. The following are its more eminent members:
*Antoine de Jussieu (1 ...
family in
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
and cases to this day remain rare.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Experience: I was born without a tongue Kelly Rogers, The Guardian, 1 December 2017.
Congenital disorders of digestive system
Congenital oral disorders
Tongue disorders