Otocephaly
| Otocephaly | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Medical genetics  |
Otocephaly (from the Greek words οτο, meaning "ear", and κεφάλη, meaning "head") is a type of head disorder (cephalic disorder).
This is a lethal condition in which the primary feature is the total or virtual absence of the lower jaw (a developmental anomaly called agnathia).[1] The "oto" in the name refers to the relationship of the ears to the face in this disorder.
The condition is considered lethal because of a poorly functioning airway.
In otocephaly, agnathia may occur alone or together with holoprosencephaly.