Strophosomia is a severe form of congenital ventral fissure, all abdominal and thoracic viscera being free in the uterus.

It is an extreme case of celosomia.

In humans

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It is a very rare dysmorphic feature in humans.[1]

In farm animals

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The condition occurs regularly in calves and lambs. The spine is flexed 180° so that the caudal region is near the neck, in so-called Schizosoma reflexum.[2]

During the obstetrical operations, the viscera are reached first, but the four limbs fold backwards may be barely accessible.

 
extraction of viscera of a lamb with strophosomia

Cesarian section is often required in cows. Fetotomy can resolve the condition in ewes.

References

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  1. ^ "Strophosomia".
  2. ^ R(oger) Hanset, Cours de tératologie (vétérinaire), student-made edition, University of Liège, undated (circa 1970); the author often refers to Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.