A deformity, dysmorphism, or dysmorphic feature is a major difference in the shape of the body a body part, or a body organ (internal or external) compared to the average shape for the part in question. Deformity may arise from numerous causes:

• A genetic mutation
• Damage to the fetus or uterus
• Complications at birth
• A growth or hormone disorder
• Reconstructive surgery following a severe injury e.g. burn injury.
• Arthritis and other Rheumatoid disorders

Irish Mythology includes the Fomorians, who are almost without exception described as being deformed, possessing only one of what most have two of (eyes, arms, legs, etc.) or having larger than normal limbs. Other mythological creatures may have been created due to a deformative syndrome also, for instance, descriptions of mermaids may be related to the symptoms of sirenomelia. For other uses, see Fetus (disambiguation). ... This article is about female reproductive anatomy. ... Parturition redirects here. ... This page deals with the type of injury called burns; for other meanings of burn see burn (disambiguation) In medicine, a burn is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation (an example of the latter is sunburn). ... Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. ... The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology. ... In Irish mythology, the Fomorians, Fomors, or Fomori (Irish Fomóiri, Fomóraig) were a semi-divine race who inhabited Ireland in ancient times. ... For other uses, see Eye (disambiguation). ... Look up ARM in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In common usage, a human leg is the lower limb of the body, extending from the hip to the ankle, and including the thigh, the knee, and the cnemis. ... For other uses, see Mermaid (disambiguation). ... Newborn Milagros Cerrón Sirenomelia or Mermaid Syndrome is a very rare disorder in which the legs are fused together, giving the appearance of a mermaid. ...

Deformity can occur in non-humans, as well. Frogs can be mutated due to Ribeiroia (Trematoda) infection. Genera See text. ... Ribeiroia is a genus of parasite in the class Trematoda, phylum Platyhelminthes. ... Subclasses Aspidogastrea Digenea The Trematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes, which contains two groups of parasitic worms. ...

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Birth defects

It is important to note that in many cases, deformed individuals do not survive. For example, in many cases in which a major deformity is present at birth, it is the result of an underlying condition severe enough that the baby does not survive very long. Or, in cases in which an individual becomes deformed due to an event, the event may kill the individual. In some societies, defective babies are abandoned at birth: some are saved by the "kindness of strangers."(See John Boswell.) Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Professor John Boswell John Eastburn Boswell (March 20, 1947 - December 24, 1994), was a prominent historian and a professor at Yale University. ...

See also

• Teratology
• Body dysmorphic disorder