conjoined twin

conjoined twin
formerly called  Siamese twin 

      one of a pair of twins who are physically joined and often share some organs. Fusion is typically along the trunk of the body or at the front, side, or back of the head.

      In the case of symmetrical conjoined twins, the children usually have no birth anomalies except at the areas of fusion. In cases where each twin has enough tissue and organs for independent survival, they are often successfully separated by surgery. In the case of nonsymmetric conjoined twins, one is fairly well developed, but the other is severely underdeveloped, often tiny, and dependent on the larger twin for nutrition. The underdeveloped twin may be surgically separated from the larger asymmetric twin in order to save the one better able to survive.

      Siamese twins, the term formerly used for these children, originally referred to the conjoined twins Chang and Eng, who were born in 1811 to parents in Siam (now Thailand) and became widely known from their tours in the West. Chang and Eng were joined by a ligament from breastbone to navel.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • conjoined twin — noun one of a pair of identical twins born with their bodies joined at some point • Syn: ↑Siamese twin • Hypernyms: ↑identical twin, ↑monozygotic twin, ↑monozygous twin * * * noun, pl ⋯ twins [count] : either one of a pair of twins who are born… …   Useful english dictionary

  • conjoined twin — UK [kənˌdʒɔɪnd ˈtwɪn] / US noun [countable] Word forms conjoined twin : singular conjoined twin plural conjoined twins medical one of two people who are physically joined at birth …   English dictionary

  • Conjoined twin — Identical (monozygotic) twins that did not separate fully from one another but are still partially united. Due to the incomplete division of one fertilized ovum. Conjoined twins are popularly known as Siamese twins after Chang and Eng (1811 1874) …   Medical dictionary

  • conjoined twin — [[t]kənʤɔ͟ɪnd twɪ̱n[/t]] conjoined twins N COUNT Conjoined twins are twins who are born with their bodies joined …   English dictionary

  • conjoined twin — con|joined twin [ kən,dʒɔınd twın ] noun count MEDICAL one of two people who are physically joined at birth. The more usual word is Siamese twin …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • conjoined twin — noun one of the two identical twins who are born attached together in utero …   Wiktionary

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  • Conjoined twins — Siamese twins redirects here. For other uses, see Siamese twins (disambiguation). Conjoined twins Classification and external resources A painting of Chang and Eng Bunker, circa 1836 ICD …   Wikipedia

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  • conjoined — con·joined kən jȯind, kän adj of, relating to, or being conjoined twins <conjoined twinning> <conjoined twin neonates> * * * con·joined (kən joindґ) joined together; united; see conjoined twins, under twins …   Medical dictionary

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