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Cyclopia sample in Theatrum Anatomicum of Tartu, Estonia.

Cyclopia (also cyclocephaly or synophthalmia) is a rare form of holoprosencephaly and is a congenital disorder (birth defect) characterized by the failure of the embryonic prosencephalon to properly divide the orbits of the eye into two cavities. Its incidence is 1 in 16,000 in born animals, and 1 in 250 in embryos.^[1] Typically, the nose is either missing or replaced with a non-functioning nose in the form of a proboscis.

Toxins found in wild plants, such as the Veratrum californicum, can disrupt the embryonic forebrain-dividing process.^[2] The mistake of ingesting Veratrum californicum while pregnant is often due to the fact that hellebore, a plant with which it is easily confused, is recommended as a natural treatment for vomiting, cramps, and poor circulation, three conditions that are quite common in pregnant women. A correlation has been found between the development of Holoprosencephaly (a main cause of Cyclopia) and folic acid deficiencies during the first weeks of pregnancy.

An old description of a colt apparently suffering from Cyclopia reads:

First, That it had no sign of any Nose in the usual place, nor had it any, in any other place of the Head, unless the double Bagg CC that grew out of the midst of the forehead, were some rudiment of it.

Next, That the two Eyes were united into one Double Eye which was placed just in the middle of the Brow.

^[3]

In 2005, a kitten with cyclopia, "Cy", was born in the United States and died about one day after birth.^[4]

1. ^ Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, ISBN 0-8036-0654-0
2. ^ http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15530
3. ^ (3 July 1665) "Observables upon a Monstrous Head" (fee required). Philosophical Transactions (1665–1678) 1 (5): 85–56. Retrieved on 2007-03-09. 
4. ^ Petty, Terrence (January 11, 2006). Not a Hoax, One-Eyed Kitten Had Bizarre Condition (HTML). Animaldomain. LiveScience.com. Retrieved on February 5, 2007.

• Holoprosencephaly
• Cephalic disorder
• Cyclops

• Website containing description and images (warning:some images are graphic)
• Goat with cyclopia
• Kitten with cyclopia

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