You are reading a NORD Rare Disease Report Abstract. NORD’s full
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site. NORD is grateful to Bernard Zazula, MD, for assistance in
the preparation of this report. Synonyms of Elephantiasis -
Idiopathic Elephantiasis - No subdivisions found. Elephantiasis
is a condition characterized by gross enlargement of an area of
the body, especially the limbs. Other areas commonly affected
include the external genitals. Elephantiasis is caused by
obstruction of the lymphatic system, which results in the
accumulation of a fluid called lymph in the affected areas.
Functioning as part of the immune system, the lymphatic system
helps to protect the body against infection and disease. It
consists of a network of tubular channels (lymph vessels) that
drain a thin watery fluid known as lymph from different areas of
the body into the bloodstream