Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Phocomelia
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Phocomelia: A birth defect in which the hands and feet are attached to abbreviated arms and legs. The term comes from phoco (meaning 'seal') and melia (meaning 'limb'), to indicate that a limb is like a seal's flipper, as in exposure of the developing fetus to thalidomide. Phocomelia may also, in some cases, be genetic.