Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited tissue disorders. This syndrome affects collagen, which plays a major role in holding together, strengthening, and providing elasticity to body cells and tissues.

Symptoms and signs of EDS include abnormally flexible, loose joints that may easily become dislocated; unusually loose, thin, stretchy (elastic) skin; and excessive fragility of the skin, blood vessels, and other body tissues and membranes.

The many types of EDS are classified using Roman numerals (EDS I to EDS XI), based upon each type's symptoms, signs, and underlying cause.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery
Last Revised	January 26, 2010