Bone and Skeletal System in Marfan Syndrome

Skeletal System in Marfan Syndrome

Long Bones

The first thing you will probably notice about people with Marfan Syndrome is how unusually tall and thin they are. Men with this disorder will often reach heights of at least 6’5” and women are often taller than 6”.

Individuals with Marfan Syndrome normally have very long arms, fingers, legs and toes. This condition is called “arachnodactyly” or “spider fingers” because their long, slender fingers and toes almost resemble the curved legs of a spider.

Another characteristic of people with Marfan Syndrome is that their arms, fingers, legs and toes of are not proportionate to the rest of their body. An unusually long arm span is very common. In fact, some individuals with Marfan Syndrome have an arm span that exceeds their height! Flat feet or exaggerated arches of the foot are other common characteristics of the disorder.

Loose Joints

Individuals with Marfan Syndrome are often very flexible. They also tend to have very loose joints, especially in their wrists, knees and fingers. This occurs because the connective tissue that holds bones together is damaged or destroyed.

A person with Marfan Syndrome may be able to bend their fingers or hands far beyond the normal range very easily and painlessly. In fact, some people can bend back their fingers until they are nearly at a 90o angle with their palm! This level of movement is impossible to achieve for most of the general population. They may even be able to bend their knees back to a very unusual degree.

Curved Spine

Another physical characteristic of people with Marfan Syndrome is a very curved spine. The vertebrae in a person’s back may be curved or rotated which can make individuals appear as if they are leaning to one side. This curvature of the spine is called scoliosis. Many individuals with Marfan Syndrome will have a slight curvature of the spine when they are children. The condition will often become worse as the individual grows older.

Deformed Breastbone

Many people with Marfan Syndrome have a deformed breastbone. In some cases, the breastbone will protrude or stick out which is called a pigeon chest. Other individuals will have an indented or sunken breastbone called a funnel chest. A sunken chest means there is less space between the breastbone and backbone. This can lead to heart and lung problems because both of these organs may become displaced as a result.

Facial features

face long, narrow
roof of mouth arched
lower jaw small, receding
often crowded teeth

Facial Features

Most individuals affected by Marfan Syndrome tend to have a long narrow face and the roof of their mouth may be very arched. A small receding lower jaw is also very common. This often leads to crowded teeth or an overbite for affected individuals.

Last updated: Feb 03, 2010

Skeletal System

Marfan Syndrome affects the bones of a person’s skeletal system. The disorder causes the long bones in an individual’s body to grow more than normal. This results in several common physical characteristics shared by many people diagnosed with the disorder