Re: Nail width compared to Fingerprint type

Patti Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:11 am

Martijn (admin) wrote:
(and I repeat: I am not sure that the fingernail width can be described as a 'constant' measure either)

I hope that my conclussion now makes sense for you as well?

This last conclusion, I think is valid, as it appears that during the early stages of embryology of the fingernail, the nail bed covers a larger percentage of the fingertip. This timing is about the same as the beginning of ridge formation. Therefore, if nail width plays a role in fingerprint pattern formation, it would only be relevant during the earliest stages of nail and fingerprint formation.

Babler obviously has conflicting reports, which I said earlier. I quoted him saying there is a relationship and you have quoted him as saying there isn't a relationship in width of volar pad to fingerprint pattern.

The fingernail bed cannot be ruled out because of its crucial role in providing the tension for the development of parallel rows of ridges that form first all around its (distal and lateral) peripheries.

NAIL

**Martijn (admin)** Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:01 pm

Patti wrote:
This last conclusion, I think is valid, as it appears that during the early stages of embryology of the fingernail, the nail bed covers a larger percentage of the fingertip. This timing is about the same as the beginning of ridge formation. Therefore, if nail width plays a role in fingerprint pattern formation, it would only be relevant during the earliest stages of nail and fingerprint formation.

Babler obviously has conflicting reports, which I said earlier. I quoted him saying there is a relationship and you have quoted him as saying there isn't a relationship in width of volar pad to fingerprint pattern.

Patti, thanks for your confirmation regarding my conclusion that based on Babler's 1987 study it is UNLIKELY that fingernail width correlates with fingerprint type.

Yes, I agree that Babler has presented conflicting conclusions. But I am not aware that he has said anything about the nails that could become relevant here.

However, regarding nail width... other sources describe that the nail develops during a much longer stage than the fingerprints do. And as a matter of fact, we both know how 'dynamic' nail growth really is regarding many aspects... because it directly depends of the processes in the nails folds: we know that nail folds can vary by shape... which sort of proofs the idea that 'nail width' might not be a constant measure!

Therefore, also from that perspective it is also quite unlikely that there is connection between nail width and fingerprint pattern type.

Patti Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:22 pm

It appears there is a definite connection during development, but nothing has been done regarding comparing adult nails to fingerprint patterns as you have noted.

Merkel cells are present around the nail folds at the earliest stages of nail development. Merkel cells are involved in patterning and not related to nail development, but instead are related to the ridges.

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