Dermatoglyphics is the study of the patterns made by the ridges and crevices of the hands and the soles of the feet.
n. 1. the patterns of finger, palm, toe, and sole prints. These patterns are formed by skin ridges, the distribution of which is unique to each individual. Abnormalities are found in those with chromosomal variants, such as *Down’s syndrome. 2. the study of these patterns. In addition to its use in medicine, dermatoglyphics is also of value in criminology and is of interest to anthropologists. See also fingerprint.
n. the distinctive pattern of minute ridges in the outer horny layer of the skin. Every individual has a unique pattern of loops (70%), whorls (25%), or arches (5%) (see illustration). Fingerprint patterns can show the presence of inherited disorders. See also dermatoglyphics.... fingerprint
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