The word anomaly is, by itself, ambiguous. It may mean: any abnormality including non-structural ones; malformation; both malformation and deformation. Concepts with the word anomaly must be evaluated for ambiguity.
A deformation is a structural abnormality that is due to an extrinsic physical force. Newly created concepts representing a deformity should be considered disorders.
A malformation is a structural abnormality that results from intrinsically disordered development.
For example,
- Congenital anomaly of <x structure> is definitely structural but is not the same as congenital malformation (structural abnormality due to intrinsically disordered development present at birth). Therefore, it can be regarded as having the more general meaning of structural abnormality present at birth.
See also relative section:
Genetic, developmental, congenital, and physical origin
Acquired abnormality of congenital anomaly
Congenital
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