The Dermal Ridges as the Infallible Signature of Skin: An Overview

Our skin is the largest organ and is composed of the dermis and epidermis. The skin surface has lines in the direction of elastic tension. The palmar and plantar skin lines are established before birth in the intrauterine development of the embryo. Dermatoglyphics is the study of epidermal lines on the palmar and plantar surface. It is a branch of biology, anthropology, genetics, and dermatology. Dermatoglyphics are closely associated with genetic factors. These attributes once formed in the womb remain unique and persist throughout the life of an individual unless the dermis is damaged. Digital and palmar dermatoglyphics are represented by fingerprint patterns, atd angle, a, b, c, d triradii, mail line index, etc. Sometimes either due to hereditary reasons, the pressure of intrauterine factors, or external environmental factors, chromosomal aberrations occur in the fetus. These aberrations are reflected in the form of increased angle of atd, variation in pattern frequency or ridge count between a-b triradii (ABRC), presence of unnatural flexion creases, and others in the fingerprints, palmprints, or footprints. These aberrations in dermatoglyphics are useful in studying the genetic abnormalities in ailments, personality disorders, and criminal tendencies.