The Role of Genetic Inheritance in the Development of Palmar Creases

Abstract

The study investigated the role of genetic inheritance in the development of palmar creases. Various generations of ten families involving 128 in the South Eastern part of Nigeria were studied. The pedigree of the first family affecting four generations was subjected to statistical analysis to determine the influence of inheritance in the pattern of palmar creases of the family members. The role of genetics was found to be highly significant (p<0.001) furthermore a careful observation of the pedigrees of the other families gave a clear indication of the role of genetics in the development of creases. Therefore, genetics is seen to have a positive role in the formation of palmar creases. However, the mode of inheritance, whether monogenic or polygenic needs to be determined.