Arachnodactyly
| Arachnodactyly | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Achromachia |
 | |
| Bilateral arachnodactyly with abnormally long and slender fingers | |
| Specialty | Medical genetics  |
| Complications | None |
| Usual onset | Birth |
| Duration | Life-long |
| Causes | Mutations in the fibrillin-2 gene, in chromosome 5q23, or the fibrillin-1 gene, at chromosome 15q21.1 |
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 a person affected by the condition are pulled inwards towards the palm. This condition is present at birth.
Causes
[edit]This feature can occur on its own with no underlying health problems,[1] or it can be associated with certain medical conditions, including Marfan syndrome,[2] Ehlers–Danlos syndromes,[3] Loeys–Dietz syndrome, and homocystinuria.[4] It is also seen in congenital contractural arachnodactyly,[5] which is caused by mutation in the gene encoding fibrillin-2 on chromosome 5q23.[6]
Notable cases
[edit]It remains unconfirmed whether Russian composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff's abnormally large reach on a piano was due to arachnodactyly from Marfan syndrome, as the pianist exhibited no other signs of the disease.[7]
Italian violinist and composer Niccolò Paganini also had abnormally long and slender fingers. Although there is no definitive medical proof, he might have been affected by Marfan syndrome[8][9] or Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Cleveland Clinic medical professional (2024-10-30). "Arachnodactyly: Do You Have Spider Fingers?". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ Buntinx, I. M.; Willems, P. J.; Spitaels, S. E.; Van Reempst, P. J.; De Paepe, A. M.; Dumon, J. E. (April 1991). "Neonatal Marfan syndrome with congenital arachnodactyly, flexion contractures, and severe cardiac valve insufficiency". Journal of Medical Genetics. 28 (4): 267–273. doi:10.1136/jmg.28.4.267. ISSN 0022-2593. PMC 1016831. PMID 1856834.
- ↑ Keer, Rosemary; Grahame, Rodney (2003-06-27). Hypermobility syndrome: Recognition and management for physiotherapists. Butterworth Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-7506-5390-9.
- ↑ Pagon, RA.; Bird, TC.; Dolan, CR.; Stephens, K.; Picker, JD.; Levy, HL. (1993). "Homocystinuria Caused by Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency". PMID 20301697.
- ↑ Viljoen, D. (1994). "Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (Beals syndrome)". Journal of Medical Genetics. 31 (8): 640–643. doi:10.1136/jmg.31.8.640. PMC 1050028. PMID 7815423.
- ↑ Hecht, Frederick; Beals, Rodney K. (1972-04-01). ""New" Syndrome of Congenital Contractural Arachnodactyly, Originally Described by Marfan in 1896". Pediatrics. 49 (4): 574–579. doi:10.1542/peds.49.4.574. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 4552107. S2CID 1846022. Archived from the original on 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ↑ "Forum – Search results for Rachmaninoff Marfan". Website of the Rachmaninoff Network. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Schoenfeld, Myron R. (2 January 1978). "Nicolo Paganini – Musical Magician and Marfan Mutant?". The Journal of the American Medical Association. 239 (1): 40–42. doi:10.1001/jama.239.1.40. PMID 336919. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
- ↑ Pedrazzini, Alessio (2015). "Niccolò Paganini: the hands of a genius". Acta Biomedica. 86 (1): 27–31. PMID 25948024.
- ↑ Wolf, P. (November 2001). "Creativity and chronic disease. Niccolo Paganini (1782–1840)". West J Med. 175 (5): 345. doi:10.1136/ewjm.175.5.345. PMC 1071620. PMID 11694491.
External links
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