Polymelia

Polymelia is when a person or an animal is born with more than the usual number of limbs. Most people have two arms and two legs because that's how humans evolved over time. However, sometimes a person or an animal can be born with more arms or legs than usual. This is called polymelia.

Imagine if you had four arms instead of two – you could do a lot more things! But having extra limbs can also be challenging. Polymelia can cause problems with movement or balance because the extra limbs are not always positioned in the most helpful way. For example, if you had four legs, it might be hard to coordinate all of them to walk properly.

Polymelia can happen for different reasons. Sometimes it is a genetic condition, which means it is passed down through families. Other times it can be caused by exposure to certain drugs or chemicals during pregnancy. However, polymelia is very rare, and most people have the usual number of limbs.

Doctors can help people with polymelia by creating prosthetic limbs, which are artificial arms or legs that can be attached to the body. That way, people can have more control over their movements and enjoy a better quality of life.