lissencephaly

noun

lis·​sen·​ceph·​a·​ly ˌli-sen-ˈse-fə-lē How to pronounce lissencephaly (audio)
plural lissencephalies
: the condition of having a smooth appearance on the surface of the brain
specifically : an abnormality of brain development marked by the presence of a smooth cerebral cortex with few or no convolutions see agyria, pachygyria

Examples of lissencephaly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Jack, 17, suffers from a neurological disorder called lissencephaly and has had to deal with seizures, eyesight problems and cognitive development issues. Reid Laymance, Houston Chronicle, 24 Apr. 2020 In 2014, while the Milton native was a member of the Red Sox, his infant son Brooks passed away from lissencephaly. Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2019 Veach — whose 5-year-old daughter Georgia suffers from the rare brain disorder lissencephaly — tells PEOPLE. Melody Chiu, PEOPLE.com, 31 Oct. 2017 According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms of lissencephaly include unusual facial appearance, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, seizures and more. Melody Chiu, PEOPLE.com, 31 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lissencephaly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lissencephaly was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near lissencephaly

Cite this Entry

“Lissencephaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lissencephaly. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

lissencephaly

noun
lis·​sen·​ceph·​a·​ly ˌlis-en-ˈsef-ə-lē How to pronounce lissencephaly (audio)
plural lissencephalies
: the condition of having a smooth appearance on the surface of the brain
specifically : an abnormality of brain development marked by the presence of a smooth cerebral cortex with few or no convolutions see agyria, pachygyria
lissencephalic adjective
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