malformation

Table of Contents

Introduction
Plant malformations
- Exaggerated growth
- Alteration of floral parts
- Translocation of organs
- Witches’-brooms
- Fasciation
Animal malformations
- Repetition or deficiency of parts
  - Somatic characters
  - Sexual anomalies
  - Complex syndromes
- Doubling of parts

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Read Next

People wearing surgical masks (also called face mask or medical masks or safety masks) walk through the city center of Milan, Italy on Feb. 23, 2020. Coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic

How Do Face Masks Control the Spread of Disease?

Scanning electron micrograph showing the spiral-shaped bacteria of the genus Leptospira. These organisms cause leptospirosis.

8 Zoonotic Diseases

close up of 3d microscopic blue bacteria

What Was Life Like Before We Knew About Germs?

H1N1 influenza virus particles. Colorized transmission electron micrograph. Surface proteins on surface of the virus particles shown in black. Influenza flu

10 Ways of Looking at Cells

Hand washing. Healthcare worker washing hands in hospital sink under running water. contagious diseases wash hands, handwashing hygiene, virus, human health

17 Questions About Health and Wellness Answered

Discover

Aspirin pills.

7 Drugs that Changed the World

Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag.

What Is the Emoluments Clause?

Poker game. Card game. Royal Flush in poker. Hearts suit gambling

Poker Hands Ranked

Berries and leaves of the bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) plant. Poisonous plant

7 of the World’s Deadliest Plants

Drinking water is poured into a glass.

Water Fluoridation: Just the Facts

Shadow of a man holding large knife in his hand inside of some dark, spooky buiding

7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers

Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"

How Deadly Is Quicksand?

malformation: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	biological malformation • physical deformity

Topics

human genetic disease genetic disease congenital disorder human disease disease cardiovascular disease mental disorder nervous system disease digestive system disease nutritional disease childhood disease and disorder respiratory disease plant disease blood disease eye disease

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

congenital disorder: Deformities

Key People

Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire

French zoologist

Quiz

44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes

greylag. Flock of Greylag geese during their winter migration at Bosque del Apache National Refugee, New Mexico. greylag goose (Anser anser)

Biology Bonanza