Definition of Syndactyly

Syndactyly: A condition in which two or more of the fingers or toes are joined together. This joining can involve the bones or just the skin between the digits. Joining of the bones is called bony syndactyly. Webbing of the skin between the fingers without any joining of the bones is called cutaneous syndactyly.

In complete syndactyly, the fingers or toes are completely joined together, with the connection extending from the base to the tip of the involved digits. In partial syndactyly, by contrast, the connection extends only part of the way up from the base of the involved digits.

Poland syndactyly is a unique pattern of malformations in which there a defect of the chest muscle on one side of the body and cutaneous syndactyly involving the hand on the same side.

The word "syndactyly" is compounded from the Greek roots "syn-" (together) + "dactylos" (finger) = fingers together.

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