Polydactyly
More than the normal number of fingers or toes. From the Greek “polys” (many) + “dactylos” (finger) = many fingers or, medically, too many fingers. Polydactyly is the opposite of oligodactyly (too few fingers or toes).
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- Polydactyly (hexadactyly)
on either side of the extremity or somewhere in between. With the hand for example, the extra finger can be out beyond the little finger (which is called ulnar hexadactyly) or out beyond the thumb (radial hexadactyly) or, finally, between two of the normally expected fingers (intercalary hexadactyly). Far and away the most frequent form […]
- Polydipsia
Constant, excessive drinking as a result of thirst. Polydipsia occurs in untreated or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.
- Polyendocrinopathy syndrome, autoimmune
replacing the various hormones that are in short supply, giving insulin for the diabetes, treating the yeast infections, etc. However, there is no known cure for the autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome. The prognosis (outlook) depends on whether the critical hormone deficiencies are remedied and especially whether the infections can be successfully controlled. The autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome […]
- Polygenic
Pertaining to two or more genes. As opposed to monogenic. Eye color is polygenic. It is by determined by a number of genes.
- Polygenic disease
A genetic disorder that is caused by the combined action of more than one gene. Examples of polygenic conditions include hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. Because such disorders depend on the simultaneous presence of several genes, they are not inherited as simply as are single-gene diseases.