Elephantiasis

Elephantiasis (Greek ελεφαντίασις, from ελέφαντας, "the elephant") is a syndrome that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and genitals. Elephantiasis generally results from obstructions of the lymphatic vessels. It is most commonly caused by a parasitic disease known as lymphatic filariasis. Alternatively, elephantiasis may occur in the absence of parasitic infection. This nonparasitic form of elephantiasis, kno ...