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Phocomelia
Phocomelia is a condition that involves malformations of the arms and legs. Although many factors can cause phocomelia, the prominent cause is the use of the drug thalidomide and from genetic inheritance.
It can result in abnormalities of the face, limbs, ears, nose, vessels and many other underdevelopments.
The symptoms of phocomelia syndrome are undeveloped limbs and absent pelvic bones. However, various abnormalities can occur to the limbs and bones. Usually the upper limbs are not fully formed and parts of the hands and arms may be missing. Short arm bones, fused fingers, and missing thumbs is also observed. Legs and feet are also affected similarly to the arms and hands. Individuals with phocomelia will often lack thigh bones, and the hands or feet may be abnormally small or appear as stumps due to their close attachment to the body (as is observed in this specimen). In this specimen the right lower limb is affected.
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