epicanthus /ep′ikan″thəs/ [Gk, epi+ kanthos, lip of a vessel] , a vertical fold of skin over the angle of the inner canthus of the eye. It may be slight or marked, covering the canthus and the caruncle. It is a hereditary trait in people of Asian descent and is of no clinical significance. Some infants with Down syndrome have marked epicanthal folds. Also called epicanthal fold, epicanthic fold. −epicanthal, epicanthic, adj.
