Deformity

Physical abnormality in a living organism Chinese circus performer with craniosynostosis, 1927 A deformed sucker cluster on an arm of an octopus A deformity, dysmorphism, or dysmorphic feature is a major abnormality of an organism that makes a part of the body appear or function differently than how it is supposed to. Causes Deformity can be caused by a variety of factors: Arthritis and other rheumatoid disorders Chronic application of external forces, e.g. artificial cranial deformation Chronic paresis, paralysis or muscle imbalance, especially in children, e.g. due to poliomyelitis or cerebral palsy Complications at birth Damage to the fetus or uterus Fractured bones left to heal without being properly set (malunion) Genetic mutation Growth or hormone disorders Skin disorders Reconstructive surgery following a severe injury, e.g. burn injury Mutilation Deformity can occur in all organisms: Frogs can be mutated due to Ribeiroia (Trematoda) infection. Plants can undergo irreversible cell deformation Insects, such as honeybees, can be affected by deformed wing virus Fish can be found with scoliosis due to environmental factors Mortality Case of acephalus holoacardiacus – born with