Exam

Arm Span

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Arm Span

  • Indication
  1. Growth Assessment
  2. Marfan Syndrome
  • Exam
  • Measurement
  1. Extend both hands outward (each arm abducted to 90)
  2. Measure finger tip to Finger tip
  • Interpretation
  • Normal results
  1. Children: Arm Span is 1 cm shorter than height
  2. Adolescent: Arm Span is same length as height
  3. Adult: Arm Span exceeds height by more than 5 cm
  4. Longer Arm Spans
    1. Boys
    2. African american descent
  • Interpretation
  • Abnormal Results
  1. Marfan Syndrome
    1. Arm to height ratio >1.05