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clubbing
(klub´ing)
bulbous swelling of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes, giving them a “club” appearance; the normal 160° angle
between the nailbed and the digit increases to 180°. It may be an early stage of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, or it may
be without subsequent changes in the long bones. The specific cause is not known, but in adults many cases are due to pulmonary
disease and resultant hypoxia, and some other cases are due to heart disease, liver disorders, or disorders of the gastrointestinal
tract.

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