a fold of skin extending vertically over the inner angle of the eye: characteristic of Mongolian peoples and a congenital anomaly among other races
Also called: epicanthic fold
Derived forms
epicanthic (ˌepiˈcanthic)
adjective
Word origin
C19: New Latin, from epi- + Latin canthus corner of the eye, from Greek kanthos
epicanthus in American English
(ˌɛpɪˈkænθəs)
noun
a small normal fold of skin from the upper eyelid sometimes covering the inner corner of the eye, as in many Asian peoples: also occurs with certain abnormal conditions, as Down syndrome