Arachnodactyly ("spider fingers") is a medical condition that is characterized by fingers and toes that are abnormally long and slender, in comparison to the palm of the hand and arch of the foot. In some cases, the thumbs of an individual with the condition are pulled inwards towards the palm. This condition is present at birth.
Causes
This feature can occur on its own with no underlying health problems,
or it can be associated with certain medical conditions, including
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a multi-systemic genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. Those with the condition tend to be tall and thin, with dolichostenomelia, long arms, legs, Arachnodactyly, fingers, and toes. They also typically ha ...
,
,
Loeys–Dietz syndrome, and
homocystinuria. It is also seen in
congenital contractural arachnodactyly,
which is caused by mutation in the gene encoding
fibrillin-2 on chromosome 5q23.
Notable cases
It remains unconfirmed whether composer
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff; in Russian pre-revolutionary script. (28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and Conducting, conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a compos ...
's abnormally large reach on a piano was a result of arachnodactyly due to
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a multi-systemic genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. Those with the condition tend to be tall and thin, with dolichostenomelia, long arms, legs, Arachnodactyly, fingers, and toes. They also typically ha ...
, as the pianist exhibited no other signs of the disease.
See also
*
Marfanoid
References
External links
{{Congenital malformations and deformations of musculoskeletal system
Congenital disorders of musculoskeletal system