[The problem of sirenoid malformation].

The pathological-anatomical and radiological findings of the rare sirenoid malformations which have to be assigned to the disturbed developments of the candal vertebral column section are discussed taking a female apodal sirenomelus involving agenesia of a large part of the intestine and the urogenital tract. About 330 cases have been dealt with in international publications. Exogenic factors are in the foreground, mainly hypoxemic conditions during the embryogenesis whereas heritability is apparently not given.