| phocomelia | A congenital malformation (birth defect) in which the hands and feet are attached to abbreviated arms and legs. The word phocomelia combines phoco- (seal) and melia (limb) to designate a limb like a seal's flipper, one consequence of exposure of the developing foetus to thalidomide. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| preaxial | <anatomy> Situated in front of any transverse axis in the body of an animal; anterior; cephalic; especially, in front, or on the anterior, or cephalic (that is, radial or tibial) side of the axis of a limb. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |