Terminology of Hand Differences

Medical Description of Hand Differences

There are a number of reputable medical websites that offer information on Hand Difference. Some are written for parents and others are for clinicians.

Adactyly: Absence of all fingers and thumb

Adactyly

Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS) or Constriction Ring Syndrome: Constriction of fingers or thumb by amniotic band(s)

https://amnioticbandsyndrome.com/

Aplasia: Absence of specific bones and parts

Thumb Aplasia

Arthrogryposis: “Curved” stiff joints

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/arthrogryposis

http://www.sickkids.ca/PlasticSurgery/What-we-do/Hand-Clinic/Arthrogryposis/index.html

http://www.tsrhc.org/hand-disorders-arthrogryposis

http://www.tsrhc.org/downloads/PDF/Amb-033.pdfhttp://www.taag.org.au/arthrogryosis.php

Brachydactyly: Short finger or thumb

http://www.dysnet.org/conditions/

Camptodactyly: Curvature in flexor (palmar-dorsal) plane of finger

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/camptodactyly/overview
http://www.sickkids.ca/plasticsurgery/what-we-do/hand-clinic/camptodactyly/index.html

Dysplasia: Abnormal development of bones and parts

https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/hand-therapy/congenital_hand_anomalies-radial_dysplasia.pdf

Ectrodactyly: Cleft hand with missing central finger(s)

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/cleft-hand/overview

http://www.dysnet.org/conditions/

Hypoplasia: Under development of bones and parts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thumb_hypoplasia
https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/hand-therapy/congenital_hand_anomalies-radial_dysplasia.pdf

Macrodactyly: Overgrown finger or thumb

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/macrodactyly
http://www.sickkids.ca/plasticsurgery/what-we-do/hand-clinic/macrodactyly/index.html

Poland Syndrome: Underdevelopment of the hand and chest muscles

http://www.dysnet.org/conditions/

Polydactyly: More than normal number of fingers or thumbs

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/polydactyly-of-fingers
http://www.sickkids.ca/plasticsurgery/what-we-do/hand-clinic/polydactyly/index.html
http://www.tsrhc.org/hand-disorders-polydactyly
http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw024.htm

Symbrachydactyly: Under-developed hand with central finger deficiencies

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/symbrachydactyly
http://www.sickkids.ca/plasticsurgery/what-we-do/hand-clinic/symbrachydactyly/index.html
http://www.tsrhc.org/hand-disorders-symbrachydactyly

Symphalangism: Stiff fingers or thumb from fusion of bones

http://www.sickkids.ca/plasticsurgery/what-we-do/hand-clinic/symphalangism/index.html

Syndactyly: Webbed fingers or thumb

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/syndactyly
http://www.sickkids.ca/plasticsurgery/what-we-do/hand-clinic/syndactyly/index.html
http://www.tsrhc.org/hand-disorders-syndactyly
http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw019.htm

Forearm Radiaoulnar Synostosis

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/radioulnar-synostosis

Vacterl: A non-random association of birth defects including hand difference

http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/polydactyly-of-fingers
http://www.sickkids.ca/plasticsurgery/what-we-do/hand-clinic/polydactyly/index.html
http://www.tsrhc.org/hand-disorders-thumb-polydactyly