Q87.4: Marfan syndrome

You have a congenital connective tissue disease.

The disease is hereditary. Other family members may also be affected.

Connective tissue is found all over the body and fulfills various tasks. Connective tissue contains lots of fine fibers. Thus it can protect or stabilize organs. There is connective tissue beneath the skin and around muscles, for example. Tendons, ligaments and cartilage are also made of connective tissue. The condition can result in your connective tissue failing to develop properly. This means the connective tissue is not as firm as normal.

This disease can make you especially tall. If the connective tissue has not formed properly, you may have various symptoms. The joints can often be stretched more than other people’s. This means that the joints can be dislocated more often. Or one’s vision may be impaired. The aorta may also be dilated. The aorta begins at the heart itself. First it runs upwards and then it arches down through the chest to the abdomen. At around the level of the navel, the aorta branches into 2 large blood vessels. These blood vessels first run to the pelvis and then to the legs.