"Early Depiction of Proboscis and Cyclopia" (see related A | B | C), 1634 Fortunio Liceti (1577-1657) Book

The holoprosencephaly complex (malformation of the fore-brain) is associated with a large and variable spectrum of concurrent malformations. This illustration underscores the dramatic nature of some of these and prompted pioneering notions now integrated in the modern Medical Teratology discipline.

The following is a description of the source of this illustration: Licetis primary work in the field of generation, and his most famous, is De monstruorum causis, natura et differentiis, originally published in Padua in 1616 then reprinted in 1634 with lavish illustrations. Here, Liceti described and classified a variety of developmental abnormalities and, for the first time, classified these based on their morphology, not their cause. Liceti did, however, provide explanations for these abnormalities, including the narrowness of the uterus, problems with the placenta, and the adhesion of the amniotic fluid with the embryo. Liceti was thus the first to recognize that fetal diseases could lead to the malformation of offspring.

Take a look at the root of the word Proboscis.

Take a look at the root of the word Cyclopia.

If interested, search the term in our "Clinical Eye Openers" website.