achondroplasia

noun

achon·​dro·​pla·​sia ˌā-ˌkän-drə-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce achondroplasia (audio)
: a genetic disorder that is marked by abnormally slow conversion of cartilage to bone during development resulting in a form of dwarfism characterized by a usually normal torso and shortened limbs and that is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait
achondroplastic adjective

Examples of achondroplasia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
On Tuesday's episode of Little People, Big World, Tori Roloff opened up about how learning of baby Lilah's achondroplasia. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 8 Apr. 2020 As a person with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, dating can be kind of tough when a lot of people are looking for that six-foot-four guy. Taylor Lorenz, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2020 Vosoritide is a daily injection meant to counteract the genetic mutation that causes achondroplasia. Damian Garde, STAT, 16 Dec. 2019 Bayles was born with achondroplasia, a genetic order that results in dwarfism. NBC News, 21 Feb. 2020 See all Example Sentences for achondroplasia 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French achondroplasie, from a- a- entry 2 + chondro- chondro- + -plasie -plasia

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of achondroplasia was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near achondroplasia

Cite this Entry

“Achondroplasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achondroplasia. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

achondroplasia

noun
achon·​dro·​pla·​sia ˌā-ˌkän-drə-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce achondroplasia (audio)
: a genetic disorder that is marked by abnormally slow conversion of cartilage to bone during development and results in a form of dwarfism characterized by a usually normal torso and shortened limbs

Note: Achondroplasia is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait requiring that only one parent passes on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome. The majority of cases of achondroplasia result from a new spontaneous gene mutation.

compare ateliosis

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