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 long arms, legs, fingers, and toes. They also typically have exceptionally flexible joints a ...
,
Ehlers–Danlos syndromes
Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of 13 genetic connective-tissue disorders in the current classification, with the latest type discovered in 2018. Symptoms include loose joints, joint pain, stretchy velvety skin, and abnormal scar fo ...
,
Loeys–Dietz syndrome, and
homocystinuria
Homocystinuria or HCU is an inherited disorder of the metabolism of the amino acid methionine due to a deficiency of cystathionine beta synthase or methionine synthase. It is an inherited autosomal recessive trait, which means a child needs to i ...
. It is also seen in
congenital contractural arachnodactyly
Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA), also known as Beals-Hecht syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant congenital connective tissue disorder. As with Marfan syndrome, people with CCA typically have an arm span that is greater than their h ...
,
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 conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one o ...
'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 long arms, legs, fingers, and toes. They also typically have exceptionally flexible joints a ...
, as the pianist exhibited no other signs of the disease.
It is also uncertain if blues guitarist and vocalist
Robert Johnson
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generati ...
's long fingers were due to Marfan syndrome.
See also
*
Marfanoid
References
External links
Congenital disorders of musculoskeletal system
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