Where did the term mongoloid originate from?

1868, adj. and noun, as a racial designation, literally “resembling the Mongols,” from Mongol + -oid. Compare Mongolian. In reference to the genetic defect causing mental retardation (mongolism), by 1899, from the typical facial appearance of those who have it.

Who coined the term Mongolism?

In 1866 British physician, John Langdon Down, for whom the syndrome is now named, first described Down syndrome, as “Mongolism.” The term Down syndrome didn’t become the accepted term until the early 1970s.

What does it mean to be called a mongoloid?

1 : a member of a group of people formerly considered to constitute a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) of humans having Asian ancestry and classified according to physical traits (such as the presence of an epicanthal fold) 2 or mongoloid, dated, now offensive : a person affected with Down syndrome.

What is the difference between Mongolian and mongoloid?

“Mongoloid” is an outdated anthropological term referring to certain peoples from central and eastern Asia. Its use to label people with Down Syndrome is also dated and highly offensive. Avoid the term entirely. If you have cause to refer to people from Mongolia the proper term is “Mongolian.”

What is the term for mongolism?

2-Min Summary. Down syndrome, also called Down’s syndrome, trisomy 21, or (formerly) mongolism, congenital disorder caused by the presence in the human genome of extra genetic material from chromosome 21.

Is mongolism a word?

Mongolism: Obsolete name for Down syndrome. Down syndrome refers to the 19th century English physician J. Langdon Down who described the condition in 1866. The misnomer “mongolism” is incorrect and racist and is to be avoided.

What is Mongolism called today?

Down syndrome, also called Down’s syndrome, trisomy 21, or (formerly) mongolism, congenital disorder caused by the presence in the human genome of extra genetic material from chromosome 21.

Who is Down syndrome named after?

Down syndrome is named after the English doctor, John Langdon Down, who was the first to categorize the common features of people with the condition. 2. Dr. Jerome Lejeune discovered Down syndrome is a genetic disorder whereby a person has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.

Is Edwards Syndrome genetic?

Edwards syndrome is a genetic condition in babies that causes severe disability. It is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 18 and babies born with the condition usually do not survive for much longer than a week.