An A to Z glossary of disabilities

Also referred to as EDS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a formation of inherited conditions. The group of conditions are known as heritable disorders of connective tissue.

Connective tissue supports the bones, internal organs, ligaments, skin, tendons and blood vessels. If the joints and the skin become weak or fragile in EDS this maybe because of a faulty protein, found in connective tissue, which ‘glues’ the body together – known a collagen.

There are three types of collagens, I, III and V. These can make the skin fragile, stretch the skin or/and increase joint movements (joint hypermobility)