acromphalus

9.9

A bulge at the belly button that may be an early sign of a hernia

noun
/ˌækrəmˈfæləs/

Specialized

: acromfalo

The doctor diagnosed the infant with acromphalus during a routine checkup.

Examples

Parents should seek medical advice if they notice signs of acromphalus in their newborn.
In rare cases, acromphalus may progress to a full umbilical hernia if untreated.
The doctor diagnosed him with an acromphalus.
Children with an acromphalus may need monitoring.
Parents should seek medical advice if they notice signs of acromphalus in their newborn.
The doctor diagnosed the infant with acromphalus during a routine checkup.
In rare cases, acromphalus may progress to a full umbilical hernia if untreated.

Surface Forms

acromphalus singular

acromphali plural

Morphology

acromphalus = omphalus (opaque) = acro + omphalus

Formed from Greek medical combining elements ('acro-' + 'omphalus') that are not familiar to average learners, so the meaning is not predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Acromphalus comes from Greek parts acro- 'high' or 'top', as in acrobat, and omphalos 'navel'. So it means a navel that 'sticks out' or is pushed up, which is why doctors use it for a bulging belly button that can be an early sign of an umbilical hernia.