CLEIDOCRANIAL DYSOSTOSIS

also called Cleidocranialiasis, rare congenital, hereditary disorder in which bone substance is normal but form is not. Characteristically, in those afflicted, the collarbones are missing or reduced in size so that the shoulders may sometimes be made to touch in front of the chest, and certain facial bones are underdeveloped or missing. Cranial sutures are late in closing, and the skull is round and the eyes are set wide apart. Other bones, especially the radius (in the forearm), pelvis, hip joint, and vertebrae, may be malformed. Deciduous teeth are late in falling, and, as a result, the permanent dentition is often abnormal. Individuals are not disabled beyond difficulty in walking and poor teeth, and life expectancy is normal.