It also excludes the more
evident double terata, and, of course, the cases of duplication
of the female genital organs (double clitoris, vulva, vagina, and
uterus). Although Schurig, Meckel, Himly, Taruffi, and others
give bibliographic lists of diphallic terata, even in them
erroneous references are common, and there is evidence to show
that many cases have been duplicated under different names.
Ballantyne and Skirving have consulted all the older original
references available and eliminated duplications of reports and,
adhering to their original definition, have collected and
described individually 20 cases; they offer the following
conclusions:--
1. Diphallus, or duplication of the penis in an otherwise
apparently single individual, is a very rare anomaly, records of
only 20 cases having been found in a fairly exhaustive search
through teratologic literature. As a distinct and
well-authenticated type it has only quite recently been
recognized by teratologists.
2. It does not of itself interfere with intrauterine or
extrauterine life; but the associated anomalies (e.g., atresia
ani) may be sources of danger. If not noticed at birth, it is not
usually discovered till adult life, and even then the discovery
is commonly accidental.
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