Marfan's syndrome. Coloured X-ray of the hands of a patient with Marfan's syndrome, showing the elongation of the fingers (arachnodactyly). This is a rare genetic disorder of connective tissue, which results in people growing very tall and thin, with long fingers. The chest and spine are often deformed, and joints are weak and prone to dislocation (as at lower left, red). Other symptoms include heart abnormalities and eye lens dislocation. Life expectancy beyond the age of 50 is not common.