Microgenia Explained

Microgenia is the medical term for an unusually small or deformed chin.^[1]

The contrasting condition, an enlarged chin, is called "macrogenia".^{[2] [3] [4]}

There are seven different chin deformities:

• Class I: Macrogenia (chin excess)
• Class II: Microgenia (chin deficiency)
• Class III: Combined excesses and deficiencies
• Class IV: Assymmetric deformity
• Class V: Witch's chin
• Class VI: Pseudomacrogenia
• Class VII: Pseudoretrogenia

Class II microgenia is the most commonly encountered chin deformity, followed by class II macrogenia.^[5]

Causes

Can occur in anyone, but is often a sign of Down syndrome.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: microchinia - Definition from Merriam Webster's Medical Dictionary. 2009-07-22.
2. Hohl TH, Epker BN . Macrogenia: a study of treatment results, with surgical recommendations . Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. . 41 . 5 . 545–67 . May 1976 . 1063958 . 10.1016/0030-4220(76)90307-8.
3. Guyuron B, Michelow BJ, Willis L . Practical classification of chin deformities . Aesthetic Plast Surg . 19 . 3 . 257–64 . 1995 . 7668174 . 10.1007/BF00451101. 25623758 .
4. Zide BM, Warren SM, Spector JA . Chin surgery IV: the large chin--key parameters for successful chin reduction . Plast. Reconstr. Surg. . 120 . 2 . 530–7 . August 2007 . 17632360 . 10.1097/01.prs.0000267636.25672.81 . 22341339 .
5. Book: Thorne, Charles H. . Operative Techniques in Facial Aesthetic Surgery . Sinno . Sammy . 2019-04-23 . Lippincott Williams & Wilkins . 978-1-4963-5043-5 . en.
6. Web site: 1980. 343. Myron Belfer, M.D.. Book by Gottfried Lemperie, M.D., and Dorin Radu, M.D.. Facial Plastic Surgery in Children with Down's Syndrome (preview page, with link to full content on plasreconsurg.com). 2009-07-22.
7. Web site: Macroglossia . Warren E. Morgan, M.D. . 1992-05-28 . 2009-07-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080709011601/http://www.bcm.edu/oto/grand/52892.html . July 9, 2008 . Microchinia mentioned among other characteristics of Down's Syndrome about halfway down the page.
8. Book: Conditional love: parents' attitudes toward handicapped children. Meira Weiss. 1994. 94. Bloomsbury Academic. 9780897893244. 2009-07-22.