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Pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Armpit of a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). This disease, also known as Gronblad-Strandberg Syndrome, is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder of the connective tissue. Degeneration and calcification of elastic fibres causes premature ageing of the skin, including the wrinkling seen here. The disease progresses to affect the retina, gastrointestinal system and blood vessels,and can cause loss of central vision and internal haemorrhaging. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CHRIS PRIEST/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)