Heterodymus
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Heterodymus is a type of double monstrosity where a parasitic fetus is attached to the chest of a more developed host fetus. The parasitic fetus typically exhibits significant underdevelopment in the head, neck, and chest regions.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
HETERODYMUS, more correctly heterodidymus (from the Greek heteros—other, different, and didymos—double), is a double monstrosity in which another fetus (the parasite), which has marked signs of underdevelopment of the head, neck, and chest, is fused by its chest to the anterior wall of a more correctly developed fetus (the host). See Monstrosities.
Related articles
Cite this page
“Heterodymus.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/heterodymus/