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== Effects of Marfan Syndrome on the Body ==

== Effects of Marfan Syndrome on the Body ==

The Heart and Blood Vessels

===The Heart and Blood Vessels===

Most people who have Marfan syndrome have problems with their heart and [[blood vessel]]s because of weak connective tissue.

Most people who have Marfan syndrome have problems with their heart and [[blood vessel]]s because of weak connective tissue.

Valves in the heart may not close properly and may let blood leak backward. The aorta––the large artery that carries blood away from the heart out to the body––may stretch and enlarge, and it can burst. The aorta also can develop a tear in its inner wall. This tear can expand and block blood flow through the aorta. This is called aortic dissection.

Valves in the heart may not close properly and may let blood leak backward. The aorta––the large artery that carries blood away from the heart out to the body––may stretch and enlarge, and it can burst. The aorta also can develop a tear in its inner wall. This tear can expand and block blood flow through the aorta. This is called aortic dissection.

The Bones, Cartilage, and Ligaments

 

===The Bones, Cartilage, and Ligaments===

People with Marfan syndrome tend to have tall and slender bodies with arms and legs disproportionately long compared to the trunk. They also usually have long fingers and toes. The ligaments and joints are typically loose. Because of rib overgrowth, the chest may protrude or be indented. Abnormal curving of the spine, called scoliosis (sko-le-O-sis), lordosis (lor-DO-sis), or kyphosis (ki-FO-sis), can occur.

People with Marfan syndrome tend to have tall and slender bodies with arms and legs disproportionately long compared to the trunk. They also usually have long fingers and toes. The ligaments and joints are typically loose. Because of rib overgrowth, the chest may protrude or be indented. Abnormal curving of the spine, called scoliosis (sko-le-O-sis), lordosis (lor-DO-sis), or kyphosis (ki-FO-sis), can occur.

The Eyes

 

===The Eyes===

The most common vision problem in people with Marfan syndrome is nearsightedness (myopia). Nearsightedness is sharp vision for things that are close and blurred vision for things that are farther away. Dislocation of the lens of the eye is a hallmark of Marfan syndrome that occurs in very few other conditions. Cataracts, or glaucoma at an early age, or detached retinas, also occur in people with Marfan syndrome.

The most common vision problem in people with Marfan syndrome is nearsightedness (myopia). Nearsightedness is sharp vision for things that are close and blurred vision for things that are farther away. Dislocation of the lens of the eye is a hallmark of Marfan syndrome that occurs in very few other conditions. Cataracts, or glaucoma at an early age, or detached retinas, also occur in people with Marfan syndrome.