Distribution of Hair on the Phalanges of the Hand in Koreans / 체질인류학회지

ABSTRACT

The distribution of hair on the phalanges was investigated in the hands of 652 Koreans (402 males and 250 females). The fingers of both hands were examined in eye, using a hand lens. The proximal phalanx of the middle finger was the most frequently haired (98.2%). The middle phalanx of the index finger was mostly hairless (0.6%). The frequency order of occurrence of proximal phalangeal hair was middle finger >ring finger >little finger >index finger >thumb finger (P3 >P4 >P5 >P2 >P1). The frequency order of occurrence of middle phalangeal hair was ring finger >middle finger >little finger >index finger (M4 >M3 >M5 >M2). The score of digital hair in Korean was 5.05. The most co mmon type of digital hair in Korean was type VII which had digital hair in all proximal phalangeal segments and no hair in midphalangeal segments. Sex differences appeared in the digital hairs of midphalangeal segment of ring finger (M4), middle finger (M3) and little finger (M5), and also appeared in the digital hairs of proximal phalangeal segment of thumb (P1).