Definitions for "Phocomelia"
an abnormality of development in which the upper part of an arm or leg is missing so the hands or feet are attached to the body like stumps; rare condition that results from taking thalidomide during pregnancy
Medical term for a congenital condition in which one or more limbs are missing, with the hand and / or foot attached directly to the trunk of the body. This was found to be a common side effect of the drug Thalidomide.
Phocomelia (from Greek seal-limbs) is a congenital disorder that presents at birth very short or absent long bones and flipper-like appearance of hands and sometimes feet. The condition may be inherited or occur sporadically. It is also connected with prenatal exposure to the anti-nausea drug thalidomide.