dysplasia

noun dys·pla·sia \ dis-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of dysplasia

: abnormal growth or development (as of organs or cells); broadly : abnormal anatomical structure due to such growth

—

dysplastic

play \-ˈplas-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of dysplasia from the Web

For instance, patients with cranioectodermal dysplasia can have elongated skulls with prominent ridges.

— NBC News, "Weird little Atacama skeleton was just a diseased fetus," 22 Mar. 2018
Kranig has undergone more than 30 surgeries for his rare condition: ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia, which affects his limbs and eyesight.

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Globetrotter pays heartwarming visit to 10-year-old Wisconsin boy with rare disease," 21 Mar. 2018
Back when the couple lived in San Francisco, the birth of their second daughter, Nessie, posed challenges: Born with hip dysplasia, Nessie underwent surgery in the first weeks of her life.

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "Nanny Murder Trial: A Father Describes the Day His Children Died," 13 Mar. 2018
Others, such as the Mexican hairless dog and the Chinese crested dog, are bred specifically for baldness through a baldness called follicular dysplasia, a condition caused by hair follicles that break down due faulty structuring.

— joshua rapp learn, Smithsonian, "Do Other Animals Besides Humans Go Bald?," 16 Feb. 2018
Exercising can also benefit dogs that are prone to arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other health conditions that can affect mobility.

— texas a&m college of veterinary medicine, Houston Chronicle, "PET TALK: Include your dog in your exercise plans," 6 Feb. 2018
Nicholas may need surgery on his esophagus, and Elizabeth may be suffering from hip dysplasia.

— jimmy tomlin, The Seattle Times, "N Carolina couple cherishes life with Down syndrome," 13 Jan. 2018
She was born with hip dysplasia, a genetic and developmental disorder that causes her hip bones to be misaligned.

— tess koman, Cosmopolitan, "11 Things to Know About Julia Mancuso, Five-Time Olympic Alpine Skier," 9 Jan. 2018
Piper was found to have a bit of hip dysplasia but no other issues at her recent exam, where Brennan snapped a photo of her.

— author: karin brulliard, Anchorage Daily News, "How 3,000 very good golden retrievers could help all dogs live longer," 15 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dysplasia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dysplasia

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1923

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

dysplasia

noun dys·pla·sia \ dis-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə \

medical Definition of dysplasia

1 : variation in somatotype (as in degree of ectomorphy, endomorphy, or mesomorphy) from one part of a human body to another

2 : abnormal growth or development (as of organs or cells); broadly : abnormal anatomic structure due to such growth

—

dysplastic

play \-ˈplas-tik\ adjective

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Britannica English: Translation of dysplasia for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dysplasia

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dysplasia

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dysplastic

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dysplastic

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