teratogenesis

1 9.9

The way a baby in the womb develops a birth defect

noun
/ˌtɛrəˈtʃɛnɪsɪs/

Specialized

: teratogénesis

Researchers are studying how certain medications can lead to teratogenesis in developing embryos.

Examples

Hassler JA, Moran DJ. 1986. The effects of ethanol on embryonic actin: a possible role in teratogenesis. Experientia 42(5):575-577.

Academic text (2014)
Environmental factors during pregnancy can increase the risk of teratogenesis and result in congenital defects.
Understanding teratogenesis is crucial for ensuring the health of both mothers and their unborn children.

Surface Forms

teratogenesis singular

teratogeneses plural

Morphology

teratogenesis = genesis (opaque) = terato + genesis

The combining form 'terato-' (meaning malformation/monster) is a specialized Greek medical combining form unknown to most learners, so knowing 'genesis' alone doesn't yield the medical sense.

Etymology

Teratogenesis combines Greek parts terato- (from teras, 'monster' or 'marvel') and -genesis ('origin' or 'coming into being'), the same root you see in genesis and generate. So, teratogenesis literally means the 'coming into being of strange forms', which helps remember it is the process that causes birth defects in an embryo.