Abigail and Brittany Hensel

Abigail and Brittany Hensel (born 8 March 1990, Minnesota) are dicephalic conjoined twins. Brittany (Britty) is the left twin and Abigail (Abby) is the right twin. They have two spines which join at the pelvis. They have two stomachs, four lungs (they were originally thought to have three) and, originally, three arms when they were born. The middle arm between the heads was underdeveloped and useless, and was amputated when they were babies.

Related Topics:
8 March - 1990 - Minnesota - Conjoined twins - Spine - Pelvis - Stomach - Lungs

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At birth, the parents chose not to separate the twins, as they share many bodily functions, the operation would have been risky and would have left the twins in wheelchairs. They do not regret their decision. The twins themselves have stated that they do not wish to be separated.

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Each of the girls manages one side of their conjoined body, so with coordination, they walk fairly well. They enjoy sports including volleyball, basketball, kickball, swimming, and bike-riding. At age 12 they underwent surgery to correct scoliosis and to expand their chest cavity to prevent future difficulties with breathing.

Related Topics:
Volleyball - Basketball - Kickball - Scoliosis

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Their nervous systems are connected and partially shared, enabling them to coordinate activities such as running and playing the piano. Each twin writes with their own hand.

Related Topics:
Nervous system - Piano

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Despite sharing a body, the girls have different tastes in food and clothes. A seamstress alters their clothes so that they have two separate necklines in order to stress that they are individuals. Brittany turns her nose up at the amount of mustard Abigail puts on a hot dog, while Abigail herself does not enjoy Brittany's favourite food, apples.

Related Topics:
Mustard - Hot dog - Apple

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Abigail and Brittany Hensel's parents are Patty and Mike Hensel. They have a younger brother called Koty and younger sister called Morgan.

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There are three other known sets of dicephalic conjoined twins in the world: Carmen and Guadelupe Andrade-Solis originally from Mexico but currently resident in the United States, Sohna and Mohna from India and Maria and Consolata from Tanzania. One set of dicephalic twins Eilish and Katie Holton from Ireland, have been separated. Katie died a few days after separation.

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