Polydactyly is a common birth defect. The deformity is characterized by extra fingers or toes. Also called extra digits or supernumerary (meaning more than normal) digits, polydactyly results in extra digits that are typically just small bits of extra skin and tissue with no bones present. In some cases, however, there is bone structure within the digits making them partially or fully functional.
According to Paul Arnold, polydactyly is caused by the mutation of a gene on chromosome 7. There are multiple mutations that can occur to a gene that is on the short arm of this chromosome resulting in extra digits on various parts of the feet or hands. This gene is the GLI3. This gene takes part in creating the patterns of organs and tissues while …show more content…
It also means that someone who has polydactyly has a 50% change of their child inheriting the disorder. While the disorder can be passed down through family members, it sometimes is only seen in one family member due to the change in genes. Extra digits can form in many combinations. They are usually smaller and develop differently than the regular finger. As stated by Seattle Children’s Hospital, they range from the simplicity of just skin and soft tissue all the way to the complexity of skin and soft tissue with a bone and joint. These more formed digits may have all the components of a normal digit, connecting deep inside the body. Three types of polydactyly can be labeled based on the location of the digit. Pre-axial polydactyly is having an extra digit outside the big toe (tibial polydactyly) and outside the thumb (radial polydactyly). Post-polydactyly is characterized by a digit outside the little toe (fibular polydactyly) and the little finger (ulnar polydactyly). Extra fingers or toes between other digits is called central polydactyly. These extra digits usually cause the patient no pain. Parents of the patients usually feel concern, but the process of being polydactyl is
According to Paul Arnold, polydactyly is caused by the mutation of a gene on chromosome 7. There are multiple mutations that can occur to a gene that is on the short arm of this chromosome resulting in extra digits on various parts of the feet or hands. This gene is the GLI3. This gene takes part in creating the patterns of organs and tissues while …show more content…
It also means that someone who has polydactyly has a 50% change of their child inheriting the disorder. While the disorder can be passed down through family members, it sometimes is only seen in one family member due to the change in genes. Extra digits can form in many combinations. They are usually smaller and develop differently than the regular finger. As stated by Seattle Children’s Hospital, they range from the simplicity of just skin and soft tissue all the way to the complexity of skin and soft tissue with a bone and joint. These more formed digits may have all the components of a normal digit, connecting deep inside the body. Three types of polydactyly can be labeled based on the location of the digit. Pre-axial polydactyly is having an extra digit outside the big toe (tibial polydactyly) and outside the thumb (radial polydactyly). Post-polydactyly is characterized by a digit outside the little toe (fibular polydactyly) and the little finger (ulnar polydactyly). Extra fingers or toes between other digits is called central polydactyly. These extra digits usually cause the patient no pain. Parents of the patients usually feel concern, but the process of being polydactyl is