Definition of Phocomelia

Phocomelia: A congenital malformation (birth defect) in which the hands and feet are attached to abbreviated arms and legs. The word phocomelia combines phoco- (seal) and melia (limb) to designate a limb like a seal's flipper, one consequence of exposure of the developing fetus to thalidomide. Phocomelia may also in some cases be genetic (as in the Roberts tetraphocomelia syndrome).

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