Webbing of the fingers or toes Webbing of the fingers and toes
is called syndactyly. It refers to the connection of two or more
fingers or toes. Webbing usually only involves a skin connection
between the two areas, but in rare cases may involve the
connection (fusion) of bones. Syndactyly may be discovered
during an examination of an infant or child. In its most common
form, it is seen as webbing between the second and third toes.
This form is often inherited and is not unusual. Syndactyly can
also occur along with other birth defects involving the skull,
face, and bones. The web connections usually run up to the first
joint of the finger or toe, but may run the entire length.
"Polysyndactyly" describes both webbing and the presence of an
extra number of fingers or toes. More common causes: - Down
syndrome - Hereditary syndactyly Very rare causes: - Apert
syndrome - Carpenter syndrome - Cornelia de Lange syndrome -
Pfeiffer syndrome - Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome - Use of the
medication hydantoin during pregna