Human Anatomy
12/3/14
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome is a genetic condition causing a breakdown of connective tissues that hold the body and its organs together. Given that connective tissue is found throughout the body, symptoms vary greatly and can affect multiple body systems such as the heart and blood vessels, skin, eyes, nervous system, lungs, and skeleton. Chiu, Hsin-Hui, M.D., et al, conducted a national database study to test the validity of the statistics on Marfan’s syndrome and to get a better understanding of this syndrome as a whole. According to Mayoclinic.com, This disorder occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000 individuals worldwide, appearing in men and women and children, in all races and ethnicities. Symptoms usually progress with age and due to the genetic condition of Marfan’s syndrome, a child of a person who has Marfan syndrome has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.
The signs and symptoms of Marfan syndrome vary greatly, even among members of the same family. Some people experience only mild effects, but others develop life-threatening complications. Fun fact, many scientist believe that Abraham Lincoln had Marfan’s syndrome, but no solid data supports that claimed. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeleton and Skin Diseases, the symptoms of Morphan's can be abnormalities to the skeleton, eyes, cardiovascular System, nervous System, skin and respiratory system. Some of the most noticeable symptoms and one most dangerous symptom are the deformities to the skeleton, eyes, and cardiovascular system.
There are many distinct skeletal features that people with Marfan syndrome have. They are typically very tall, slender, and loose-jointed. In addition, since Marfan syndrome affects the long bones of the skeleton, a person's arms, legs, fingers, and toes may be disproportionately long in relation to the rest of the body. A person with Marfan syndrome often has a long, narrow face, and the roof of the mouth...