fetus in fetu

fetus in fetu

[infē′to̅o̅]

a fetal anomaly in which a small, imperfectly formed twin, incapable of independent existence, is contained within the body of the normal twin, the autosite.

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fetus

[L.] the developing young in the uterus, specifically the unborn offspring in the postembryonic (see also embryo) period, after major anatomical structures have been outlined.

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anomalous fetus

a fetus with one or more congenital defects.

calcified fetus

lithopedion; a fetus that has become calcified.

emphysematous/putrescent fetus

due usually to death of the fetus at parturition; the fetus has been dead for several days, decomposition has occurred and gas has been produced and can be palpated as subcutaneous crepitus; presents a major obstetrical difficulty because of the increased size of the fetus and its extreme dryness due to lack of fetal fluids. The conceptus has a putrid and persistent odor.

fetus in fetu

a small, imperfect fetus, incapable of independent life, contained within the body of another fetus.

mummified fetus

see mummification.

oversized fetus

commonly the result of very good feeding in the last trimester of pregnancy and often the cause of dystocia in beef heifers. See also fetal giantism.

fetus papyraceus

a fetus flattened by being pressed against the uterine wall by a living twin.

parasitic fetus

an incomplete minor fetus attached to a larger, more completely developed fetus, or autosite.