POLYDACTYLIA Meaning and
Definition
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Polydactylia is a term used in medicine and genetics to describe a congenital abnormality characterized by the presence of extra fingers or toes on the hands or feet of an individual. Derived from the Greek words "poly" meaning "many" and "daktulos" referring to "digits," polydactylia is typically considered as a harmless anatomical variation rather than a disorder or disease.
Polydactylia can manifest in various ways, ranging from a single extra digit to multiple additional fingers or toes. The condition may affect one or both hands and/or feet, and its severity can vary among individuals. The extra digits can vary in size, shape, and functionality, often resembling normal fingers or toes.
This condition is relatively rare, with an estimated incidence rate of approximately 2 in 1,000 live births. It can occur sporadically or be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. When it runs in families, it can be further classified as preaxial or postaxial polydactylia, depending on whether the extra digit is located on the thumb side (preaxial) or the little finger side (postaxial) of the hand or foot.
Polydactylia is not typically associated with other health conditions or impairments. However, in some cases, the extra digits may cause functional or cosmetic issues, such as difficulties with grasping objects or fitting shoes properly. When necessary, surgical intervention may be considered to remove or correct the extra digits, but this is usually a personal choice rather than a medical necessity.
Common Misspellings for POLYDACTYLIA
- oolydactylia
- lolydactylia
- -olydactylia
- 0olydactylia
- pilydactylia
- pklydactylia
- pllydactylia
- pplydactylia
- p0lydactylia
- p9lydactylia
- pokydactylia
- popydactylia
- pooydactylia
- poltdactylia
- polgdactylia
- polhdactylia
- poludactylia
- pol7dactylia
- pol6dactylia
- polysactylia
Etymology of POLYDACTYLIA
The word "Polydactylia" is derived from two Greek roots: "poly" meaning "many" and "dactyl" meaning "finger" or "toe". "Polydactylia" combines these roots to indicate a condition where an organism (typically a human or an animal) possesses an excess number of fingers or toes.
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