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

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.

Reflections on Bateson's rule: Solving an old riddle about why extra legs are mirror‐symmetric

“…(c) Double-hand anomaly (ventral aspect) in the left arm of a woman (Case #495), whose right arm was normal-a phenotype that vexed Bateson because a right hand on the left side of the body represents the emergence of a fundamental feature of animals (bilateral symmetry) in a context (unilateral) where it does not belong (Bateson, 1971). This may be an instance of ulnar dimelia syndrome, and feet can be doubled too (Brower, Wootton-Gorges, Costouros, Boakes, & Greenspan, 2003;Hatchwell & Dennis, 1996;Klaassen, Shoja, Tubbs, & Loukas, 2011). Bateson cited a similar anomaly in a man (Case #492) who considered his condition to be an asset for his job (machinist) and especially for playing the piano.…”

Ontology of Congenital Malformations of the Humerus and Forearm Bones

“…Уроджена кукса передпліччя (cuxa antebrachii congenita) -відсутність дистального відділу ВК. Ця УВР ВК трапляється у 66,7% випадках [26]. По рівню недорозвинення передпліччя розрізняють довгі та короткі кукси.…”