Definition

1. Noun:
   • A congenital condition characterized by the fusion or webbing of two or more fingers or toes: Syndactylism is a birth defect where adjacent digits are joined together by skin or, in more severe cases, by bone. It can be partial (involving only a portion of the digits) or complete (extending to the tips).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The newborn was diagnosed with syndactylism, requiring a surgical procedure to separate the webbed fingers.
  • Syndactylism of the second and third toes is a relatively common and often minor condition.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Terminology: In clinical contexts, syndactylism is often classified by type (e.g., simple, involving only skin; complex, involving fusion of bones) and by the digits affected.
  • The complex syndactylism between the ring and little fingers necessitated a detailed surgical plan.

Variants and Related Words

• Syndactyly (n): This is the more common medical term and is synonymous with syndactylism.
  • The doctor explained that the baby's condition was a case of simple syndactyly.
• Polysyndactyly (n): A condition combining extra digits (polydactyly) with webbing (syndactyly).
• Syndactylous (adj): Describing the state of having webbed digits.
  • The syndactylous condition was present at birth.

Synonyms

• Webbed digits: A descriptive, non-technical term.
• Digit syndactyly: A more specific medical synonym.

Related Phrases

• Surgical separation of syndactyly: The standard corrective procedure.
• Congenital limb difference: A broader category that includes syndactylism.

Noun

1. birth defect in which there is partial or total webbing connecting two or more fingers or toes