Distribution of the phalangeal hair of the hand among North Africans

ABSTRACT

Frequency and the pattern of hair distribution on the phalanges of the hand has been studied among North African population comprising of Egyptians, Libyans, Tunisians and Moroccans, 1855 subjects of both sexes, aged between 17 to 32 years, belonging to workers and students of the three universities at Zagazig in Egypt [Egyptian cases] and Benghazi [Al-Arab Medical University and Garyounis University] in Libya [Libyan, Tunisian and Moroccan cases], were investigated at random. Hair was found to be present on proximal phalanx in large population [98.8% in males and 96.7% in females]. The middle phalanx showed hair only in 42% males and 31.7% females. Most common combination was third, fourth and fifth digits. The frequency order of fingers with middle phalangeal hair remains as 4>3>5>2. No hair was found on the distal phalanx. Values of the present investigation ranged between the black West Africans and white races