Definition of Klippel-Feil syndrome

Klippel-Feil syndrome: A congenital disorder involving the fusion of any two of the 7 neck (cervical) vertebrae. Affected individuals have a short neck, low hairline at the nape of the neck, and limited movement of the head. Klippel-Feil syndrome is due to a defect in the early development of the spinal column in the neck and may be assocaited with other birth defects. Also known as Klippel-Feil sequence.