Marfan syndrome

noun Mar·fan syndrome \ ˈmär-ˌfan- \

variants: or Marfan's syndrome play \ˈmär-ˌfanz-\

Definition of Marfan syndrome

: a disorder of connective tissue that is inherited as a dominant trait and is characterized by abnormal elongation of the long bones and often by ocular and circulatory defects

Origin and Etymology of marfan syndrome

Antonin Bernard Jean Marfan †1942 French pediatrician

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1923

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

Marfan syndrome

noun Mar·fan syndrome \ ˈmär-ˌfan- \

variants: or Marfan's syndrome play \-ˌfanz-\

medical Definition of Marfan syndrome

: a disorder of connective tissue that is inherited as a simple dominant trait, is caused by a defect in the gene controlling the production of fibrillin, and is characterized by abnormal elongation of the long bones and often by ocular and circulatory defects

Biographical Note for marfan syndrome

Marfan play \mȧr-fäⁿ\, Antonin Bernard Jean (1858–1942), French pediatrician. Marfan concerned himself with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of children's diseases. In 1892 he described spastic paralysis in children with hereditary syphilis. In 1896 he described a syndrome marked by arachnodactyly, ectopia of the crystalline lens, and abnormal flexibility of the joints. The syndrome now bears his name.