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Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 2/2012

01-03-2012 | Review

A review of supernumerary and absent limbs and digits of the upper limb

Authors: Zachary Klaassen, Monica Choi, Ruth Musselman, Deborah Eapen, R. Shane Tubbs, Marios Loukas

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 2/2012

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Abstract

For years people have been enamored by anomalies of the human limbs, particularly supernumerary and absent limbs and digits. Historically, there are a number of examples of such anomalies, including royal families of ancient Chaldea, tribes from Arabia, and examples from across nineteenth century Europe. The development of the upper limbs in a growing embryo is still being elucidated with the recent advent of homeobox genes, but researchers agree that upper limbs develop between stages 12–23 through a complex embryological process. Maternal thalidomide intake during limb development is known to cause limb reduction and subsequent amelia or phocomelia. Additionally, a number of clinical reports have illustrated different limb anomaly cases, with each situation unique in phenotype and developmental abnormality. Supernumerary and absent limbs and digits are not unique to humans, and a number of animal cases have also been reported. This review of the literature illustrates the historical, anatomical, and clinical aspects of supernumerary and absent limbs and digits for the upper limb.
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Metadata
Title
A review of supernumerary and absent limbs and digits of the upper limb
Authors
Zachary Klaassen
Monica Choi
Ruth Musselman
Deborah Eapen
R. Shane Tubbs
Marios Loukas
Publication date
01-03-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-011-0871-1

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