Epignathic Teratoma as a prototype of ancient
Greek Gorgoneion
Ì. Kairis
Pathology Department, “P.A. Kyriakou”, Children’s Hospital,
Athens
We describe two cases of Epignathus (Basicranial Teratoma) in
newborn infants and we compare their morphological characteristics
with those of the archaic Gorgoneion as this is depicted in
various artistic works of archaeological findings. Gorgoneion,
the head of the Gorgon-Medusa with its hideous characteristics,
reputed to turn to stone those who looked on it, is associated
with the Perseus story of Greek mythology. It is assumed that
the face of a person with this congenital tumor could have inspired
the conception of mythological Gorgoneion. Other examples of
congenital anomalies that have function as prototypes for mythological
entities are the cases of Cyclopia and Sirenomelia.
Key words: Epignathus, Teratoma, Mythology, Gorgoneion.
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