the.com/malformation
A body part that developed in an atypical shape or structure, usually present from birth.
means A part of the body that developed in an abnormal shape or structure, usually from birth.
from Built from Latin male, 'badly,' plus formatio, 'a forming' or 'shaping' — the same formatio that gives us 'form' and 'format.' So malformation is just Latin for 'badly shaped,' a word that walked into English in the 1700s wearing its meaning on its sleeve, no twist required.
- timing
- usually happens in the first trimester
- not the same
- deformation reshapes normal tissue, malformation is built wrong
- common culprits
- genetics, teratogens, or just unlucky cell signaling
- range
- from harmless extra toe to major organ defect