Congenital absence of a limb or limbs. Autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked forms have been reported, but most cases are sporadic. [G. a- priv. + melos, a limb]
* * *
ame·lia ə-'mē-lē-ə, (.)ā- n congenital absence of one or more limbs
* * *
n.
congenital total absence of the arms or legs due to a developmental defect. It is one of the fetal abnormalities induced by the drug thalidomide taken early in pregnancy. See also phocomelia.
* * *
ame·lia (ə-meґle-ə) [a-1 + -melia] congenital absence of a limb or limbs; cf. meromelia and phocomelia.Medical dictionary. 2011.