ARACHNODACTYLY IN FOUR SIBLINGS

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Abstract
Arachnodactyly was first described by Marfan,1 in 1896, as observed in a 5½ year old girl who had abnormally long, slender fingers and toes. Achard2 in 1902 described a second case of this disorder and selected the name arachnodactyly to indicate the "spider-like" appearance of the fingers and toes. This name was not well chosen, since it indicates only one of the many abnormalities present in this symptom complex. Although later authors suggested more comprehensive names, these have not been generally accepted, and the designation arachnodactyly, or Marfan's disease, persists. In addition to the long, slender bones of the hands and the feet, the complete syndrome is characterized by muscular atrophy, laxity of ligaments with their associated deformities and ocular and cardiac anomalies. The deformities which are commonly described are kyphosis, scoliosis, funnel chest, high position of the patella, hammer toes, pes planus and subluxation of joints. The

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