Genetic and Medical Glossary

acronym for association of seven birth defects—vertebral abnormalities (V), anal atresia (A), cardiac (heart) defects (C), tracheal-esophageal abnormalities (TE), renal/kidney and radial abnormalities (R), limb abnormalities (L) and single umbilical artery (S); cause unknown

something that differs in some characteristic from the class to which it belongs

improper closing of the velopharyngeal sphincter (soft palate muscle) during speech characterized by an acute nasal quality of the voice

hole or defect in the muscular wall of the heart that splits the lower chamber into two ventricles; small holes can close spontaneously; large holes can lead to progressive heart failure and require surgery

inner aspect of the lower lip vermilion (normally apposing the teeth) visible in a frontal view

triangular appearance of the oral aperture with the apex in the midpoint of the upper vermilion and the lower vermilion forming the base

abnormal flow of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract

referring to the viscera, the internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines)