What term describes abnormally close spacing of the orbits?

What term describes abnormally close spacing of the orbits?

• A. Hypertelorism
• B. Hypotelorism
• C. Keyhole sign
• D. Nuchal thickness

Answer: (B)

Orbital spacing is described with specific terms, and a decreased distance between the orbits is called hypotelorism. This means the inner (or sometimes overall) distance between the eyes is smaller than normal. In fetal imaging, hypotelorism can be a clue to midline craniofacial anomalies such as holoprosencephaly, so it prompts careful evaluation of the brain and facial structures. Hypertelorism would mean the opposite—eyes that are spaced more widely than normal. The other options describe different findings (the “keyhole sign” relates to urinary tract issues, and nuchal thickness is a measurement used for chromosomal risk), not orbital spacing.

Orbital spacing is described with specific terms, and a decreased distance between the orbits is called hypotelorism. This means the inner (or sometimes overall) distance between the eyes is smaller than normal. In fetal imaging, hypotelorism can be a clue to midline craniofacial anomalies such as holoprosencephaly, so it prompts careful evaluation of the brain and facial structures. Hypertelorism would mean the opposite—eyes that are spaced more widely than normal. The other options describe different findings (the “keyhole sign” relates to urinary tract issues, and nuchal thickness is a measurement used for chromosomal risk), not orbital spacing.