In the vast world population, only a select few individuals possess this distinctive feature – an extra crease at the bottom of their pinky finger. For those fortunate enough to have this unique characteristic, it adds an element of excitement to their hand anatomy.
A Unique Pinky Finger
The majority of people have two creases on their little fingers. However, those with a third crease are part of an exclusive and rare group known as individuals with an extra interphalangeal transverse or, simply put, an additional crease in their little fingers. Phalanges, the bones that compose our fingers and toes, consist of three segments in each finger, except for the thumb, which has two. Referred to as an extra interphalangeal transverse, the additional crease is located slightly above where a ring would rest on the little finger.
Although most commonly observed on the little finger, this feature can also manifest on other fingers, albeit less frequently. While research on this subject is limited, the existing studies primarily focus on the little finger. In 1978 Japanese scientists gathered data from 551 individuals, analyzing 1,102 little fingers. Their findings revealed that only six fingers exhibited the extra crease. Interestingly, men who had this characteristic had it on only one little finger, while women displayed it on both hands.
Extra Interphalangeal Transverse Occurs Rarely
A smaller study, encompassing approximately 307 participants, suggested that the different finger anatomy may be more prevalent in men than in women. However, due to the limited scale of the study, these findings are considered inconclusive.
The origins and significance of this extra pinky finger crease remain largely unknown. While genetics likely play a role, there has been minimal scientific interest in exploring this feature further, given its perceived lack of utility or medical importance. Nonetheless, its rarity may hold potential applications in forensic science. Due to its infrequent occurrence, it could prove valuable in identifying the handprints of individuals involved in specific incidents.
The presence of an extra crease in the pinky finger is an intriguing and unusual attribute. With only a small number of people worldwide possessing this distinct feature, it adds an element of fascination to studying human anatomy.