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Definition

facies

(fā'sh(ē-)ēz )

Plural: facies

[L. facies, form, configuration, face]

  1. The face or the surface of any structure.
  2. The expression or appearance of the face.

f. abdominalis A pinched, anxious, shrunken, and drawn expression once thought to be indicative of abdominal diseases.

adenoid f.A dull, lethargic appearance with open mouth, which may be due to hypertrophy of adenoids or to chronic mouth breathing.

asymmetric crying f.An autosomal dominant defect in the formation of a muscle at the corner of the mouth. It is associated with a deletion from the 22nd chromosome and is often found with other facial, heart, bony, or urinary abnormalities.

f. Hippocratica

Variant: Hippocratic facies

The facies classically described in those dying from protracted illness or cholera. The cheeks and temples are hollow, the eyes sunken, the complexion dark brown, livid, or leaden, the nose sharp, and the lips slack.

leonine f.The lion-like facies seen in certain forms of leprosy.

masked f.

Variant: masklike facies

An expressionless facies with little or no animation, seen in parkinsonism.

myopathic f.The facies due to muscular relaxation. The lids drop and the lips protrude.

parkinsonian f.

SEE: under Parkinson, James.

thalassemic f.Enlargement of the cheek bones and forehead in people with thalassemia major. In thalassemic patients, the bone marrow cavity expand s, and the cortex of bone is thinner than normal.