Cyclopia (also cyclocephaly or synophthalmia) is a rare form of holoprosencephaly and is a congenital disorder (birth defect) characterized by the failure of the embryonic prosencephalon to properly divide the orbits of the eye into two cavities. Its incidence is 1 in 16,000 in born animals, and 1 in 250 in embryos. Typically, the nose is either missing or replaced with a functioning nose in the form of a proboscis. It is sometimes thought to be caused by ingesting the lily Veratrum Californicum or other wild plants containing toxins on the 14th day of gestation. The mistake of ingesting Veratrum Californicum while pregnant is often due to the fact that hellebore, a plant that is a member of the same genus, is recommended in humans as a natural treatment for vomiting, cramps, and poor circulation, three conditions that are quite common in pregnant women.

References

• Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, ISBN 0803606540

See also

• Cephalic disorder
• Cyclops

External links

• Website containing description and images (warning: images are graphic)

Congenital disorders