[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

Any fan of South Park knows that Eric Theodore Cartman isn't fat. He's big boned. But do some people actually have bigger bones than others? I mean bigger as in thicker. Or is it just used as an excuse to be a fat ba***rd?

[RD]

In acromegaly the bones are bigger (longer and thicker)...

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

As compared with the hand of a normal person (left), the hand of a patient with acromegaly (right) is enlarged

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acromegaly

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

It was actually big hands and fingers that got me wondering. I know an Irishman whose hands are enormous and he's got fingers like sausages.

[Chemistry4me]

Do they intake extra calcium and absorb extra vitamin D?

[RD]

I know an Irishman whose hands are enormous and he's got fingers like sausages.

If he is an adult whose hands are continuing to grow then this may be of interest ...

Handshake diagnosed brain tumour 
 
A GP diagnosed a rare brain tumour just by shaking a man's hand.
Mark Gurrieri, 36, from Loughton, Essex, was working in a restaurant when a friend introduced him to his dining partner, Dr Chris Britt.

The GP said he knew something was wrong when he shook Mr Gurrieri's large, spongy feeling hand.

Mr Gurrieri underwent tests and was found to have acromegaly - caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland which leads to excess growth hormone.

The condition is seen in just three people per million, and can have serious effects if left undiagnosed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7246419.stm

 

[Chemistry4me]

Any fan of South Park knows that Eric Theodore Cartman isn't fat. He's big boned.

How do you know that?
That article was really interesting, thanks for bringing it up RD.

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

RD - I've known him for many years and his hands have always been huge. He erects fences for a living.