Achondrioplasia

Achondroplasia, a disturbance of the growth process that produces a type of dwarfism. The condition is congenital, beginning with the growth of the embryo. The torso is usually normal, but the head is disproportionately large and the arms and legs are smaller than normal and curved. Most infants with this ailment are stillborn. In those who survive, mental and sexual development and life expectancy are not affected. Their muscles generally are stronger than those of normal individuals. A dwarf is different from a midget, whose body proportions are normal although the entire body is unusually small. Achondroplasia is an abnormal development of the embryo that affects the growth of the bones. Other growth disturbances are caused by nutritional or hormonal deficiencies.