lissencephaly

noun

lis·​sen·​ceph·​a·​ly ˌli-sen-ˈse-fə-lē 

plural lissencephalies

: the condition of having a smooth appearance on the surface of the brain

specifically : an abnormality of brain development marked by the presence of a smooth cerebral cortex with few or no convolutions see agyria, pachygyria

Examples of lissencephaly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jack, 17, suffers from a neurological disorder called lissencephaly and has had to deal with seizures, eyesight problems and cognitive development issues. —Reid Laymance, Houston Chronicle, 24 Apr. 2020

In 2014, while the Milton native was a member of the Red Sox, his infant son Brooks passed away from lissencephaly. —Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2019

Veach — whose 5-year-old daughter Georgia suffers from the rare brain disorder lissencephaly — tells PEOPLE. —Melody Chiu, PEOPLE.com, 31 Oct. 2017

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms of lissencephaly include unusual facial appearance, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, seizures and more. —Melody Chiu, PEOPLE.com, 31 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lissencephaly

noun

lis·​sen·​ceph·​a·​ly ˌlis-en-ˈsef-ə-lē 

plural lissencephalies

: the condition of having a smooth appearance on the surface of the brain

specifically : an abnormality of brain development marked by the presence of a smooth cerebral cortex with few or no convolutions see agyria, pachygyria

lissencephalic

-sə-ˈfal-ik 

adjective