What are conjoined twins?

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Conjoined twins reflect a rare medical condition whereby identical twins are fused in the womb, causing their bodies to join together after childbirth. In many cases vital organs such as the liver or kidneys are shared between the twins. This condition is caused by the developing embryo in the mother's womb failing to fully divide at the zygote level, therefore causing the full maturation of the partially separated egg into a conjoined foetus. It occurs as often as every 400, 000 births and produces predominantly female subjects. Different types of the condition are separated by the point of conjunction, with the most common variants being Thoracopagus, where the twins are fused at the thorax, and Omphalopagus, where they are conjoined at the lower chest. Although conjoined twins can be separated, this is a highly difficult and length medical procedure, dependent on the amount of vital organs shared by the twins. The first successful operation of this type recorded was allegedly performed in Switzerland in 1689. On an etymological level, the term was coined by twins Eng and Chang Bunker, famous Thai twins who converted their condition into a travelling show.