Definition of Diprosopus

Diprosopus

Diprosopus is a condition involving conjoined twins who are not fully separated, resulting in twins with nearly complete fusion of their bodies but sharing a single set of limbs. Their faces are either partially or entirely duplicated. This condition typically leads to stillbirth.The ancient "pretty ladies of Tlatilco" figurines from Mexico, once mysterious, are now believed to depict this condition. These early Mesoamerican sculptures, dating back to 1200 BC and crafted over 500 years, might be considered some of the earliest scientifically accurate medical representations in history. They depict diprosopus with two faces placed side by side, a level of anatomical and pathological detail not seen again until the 16th century with the anatomical studies of Hans Baldung Grien and Andreas Vesalius, who used dissected cadavers for their drawings.The word "diprosopus" is derived from the Greek words "di-" meaning two, and "prosopon," meaning face, translating to "two-faced."

Medical Definition & Meaning

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