Dupuytren's Contracture
/ˌduː.pwiːˈtrænz kənˈtræk.tʃər/noun
A condition in which thickened connective tissue in the palm progressively bends one or more fingers toward the hand.
Did you know?The term is an eponym honoring Guillaume Dupuytren, who presented a detailed description of the condition in Paris in 1831, rather than naming a supernatural or symbolic force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*treǵ- / *tragh-
“To draw, pull, or drag; the distant Indo-European source behind Latin roots involving pulling together.”
Classical Latin
Latin
contrahere
“To draw together, tighten, or bring into a smaller compass.”
Late Latin
Latin
contractura
“A shortening or drawing together; a medical term for abnormal tightening or stiffening.”
17th Century
French
contracture
“Abnormal muscular or connective-tissue shortening and rigidity.”
1831
French
rétraction de l’aponévrose palmaire
“Dupuytren's description of retraction of the palmar fascia, the connective tissue in the hand.”
19th Century
Medical English
Dupuytren's contracture
“The established English eponym for progressive thickening and shortening of the palmar fascia.”