Asymmetry of body parts can be observed both in normal and pathological conditions. A small congenital or acquired disproportion that does not cause functional and aesthetic disorders is considered acceptable. At the same time, the sudden asymmetry of the face, limbs and body parts often indicates the development of serious diseases. Diagnosis is carried out using physical techniques, instrumental imaging methods (X-ray, CT, ultrasound). Serious signs requiring urgent medical attention are facial asymmetry in stroke, joints in trauma, limbs in lymphedema, shoulders and shoulder blades in scoliosis, etc.
General informations
This symptom location of individual organs and body parts does not always indicate the presence of a disease. So, most people have asymmetrical facial features. In right-handed people, the right half of the body is more developed than the left, the right arm and leg are often longer, stronger, with more developed musculature (functional asymmetry). An asymmetric arrangement of the kidneys, testicles in the scrotum in men, mammary glands in women with unchanged structure and function of organs is considered a normal anatomical phenomenon.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for asymmetry to develop due to various kinds of pathological causes. This phenomenon is referred to by the term “hemihypertrophy”. Disproportion of body parts is often present in people with congenital weakness of connective tissue, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous and muscular systems, occupational hazards (prolonged stay in a forced position). For some pathological conditions, external changes in the form of asymmetry of certain parts of the body are pathognomonic:
- facial: stroke, neuritis of the facial nerve, torticollis, curvature of the nasal septum, malocclusion;
- of joints: dislocation, arthrosis, arthritis, hemarthrosis, synovitis;
- breast: post-lactation changes, age-related involution, breast injuries, mastopathy, tumors, implant displacement;
- of the back: scoliosis, kyphosis, osteochondrosis;
- limb: improper fusion of fractures, osteomyelitis, polio, lymphedema;
- of the scrotum: cryptorchidism, hydrocele, varicocele, testicular torsion.