
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Cutis laxa senilis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Cutis laxa (also called elastolysis) is a group of rare connective tissue disorders in which the skin becomes inelastic and hangs loosely in folds. In most cases, cutis laxa is inherited. Autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked recessive forms have been described, but acquired forms also occur. It is characterized by skin that is loose, hanging, wrinkled, and lacking in elasticity. The loose skin is often most noticeable on the face, resulting in a prematurely aged appearance. The affected areas of skin may be thickened and dark. In addition, the joints are loose (hypermobility) because of lax ligaments and tendons. When cutis laxa is severe, it can also affect the internal organs. The lungs, heart, intestines, or arteries may be affected with a variety of severe impairments. In some cases hernias, and outpouching of the bladder can be observed.
In patients suffering from Cutis Laxa mutations in the elastic fibers comprising the dermis have been identified.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Skin
Trunk
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
Face
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
-
Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/5/5f/Cutis_laxa03.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/1/15/Cutis_laxa04.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/9/98/Cutis_laxa05.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/2/24/Cutis_laxa06.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/5/5f/Cutis_laxa07.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/4/44/Cutis_laxa08.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/e/ef/Cutis_laxa10.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/e/eb/Cutis_laxa11.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/3/3e/Cutis_laxa12.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/3/3b/Cutis_laxa14.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/9/90/Cutis_laxa15.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/a/a8/Cutis_laxa16.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/4/4a/Cutis_laxa17.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/4/47/Cutis_laxa01.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/f/f9/Cutis_laxa02.jpg)
![Cutis laxa. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/a/ab/Cutis_laxa09.jpg)