achondroplasia

noun

achon·​dro·​pla·​sia ˌā-ˌkän-drə-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce achondroplasia (audio)
: a genetic disorder that is marked by abnormally slow conversion of cartilage to bone during development resulting in a form of dwarfism characterized by a usually normal torso and shortened limbs and that is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait
achondroplastic adjective

Examples of achondroplasia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Tuesday's episode of Little People, Big World, Tori Roloff opened up about how learning of baby Lilah's achondroplasia. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 8 Apr. 2020 As a person with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, dating can be kind of tough when a lot of people are looking for that six-foot-four guy. Taylor Lorenz, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2020 Vosoritide is a daily injection meant to counteract the genetic mutation that causes achondroplasia. Damian Garde, STAT, 16 Dec. 2019 Bayles was born with achondroplasia, a genetic order that results in dwarfism. NBC News, 21 Feb. 2020 See all Example Sentences for achondroplasia 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French achondroplasie, from a- a- entry 2 + chondro- chondro- + -plasie -plasia

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of achondroplasia was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near achondroplasia

Cite this Entry

“Achondroplasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achondroplasia. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

achondroplasia

noun
achon·​dro·​pla·​sia ˌā-ˌkän-drə-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce achondroplasia (audio)
: a genetic disorder that is marked by abnormally slow conversion of cartilage to bone during development and results in a form of dwarfism characterized by a usually normal torso and shortened limbs

Note: Achondroplasia is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait requiring that only one parent passes on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome. The majority of cases of achondroplasia result from a new spontaneous gene mutation.

compare ateliosis

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