Oligodactyly (from Greekὀλίγος (olígos) 'few' and δάκτυλος (daktylos) 'finger') is the presence of fewer than five digits (fingers or toes) on a hand or foot.[1][2]
Oligodactyly is sometimes a sign or symptom of several syndromes including Poland syndrome and Weyer Ulnar Ray Syndrome.[5] It is a type of dysmelia.
Ectrodactyly is an extreme instance of oligodactyly, involving the absence of one or more central digits of the hand or foot and is also known as split hand/split foot malformation (SHFM).[6] The hands and feet of people with ectrodactyly are often described as "claw-like" and may include only the thumb and one finger (usually either the little finger, ring finger, or a syndactyly of the two) with similar abnormalities of the feet.[7]
People with oligodactyly often have full use of the remaining digits and adapt well to their condition. They are not greatly hindered in their daily activities, if at all.[4][8] Even those with the most extreme forms are known to engage in tasks that require fine control, such as writing[4] and bootmaking[8] as well as working as a cab driver.[8]
^P D Turnpenny, J C Dean, P Duffty, J A Reid, and P Carter, "Weyers' ulnar ray/oligodactyly syndrome and the association of midline malformations with ulnar ray defects." J Med Genet. 1992 September; 29(9): 659–662. Found at NIH website. Accessed last on February 17, 2010.
