Medical Academy Named After S.I. Dermatoglyphic method of medical genetics

Introduction to Dermatogliphy
All too often when we teach genetics we limit ourselves to the “tried and true “ single gene traits and “shy away” from more complex forms of genetic inheritance. After, all it is difficult enough to explain Mendelian Laws without the added complexity of quantitative variations. Ironically, understanding the relationship between genetic information and phenotypic expression at the organism level has more to do with the interaction of many genes than it does to any one gene in isolation. Dermal ridges are an example of a trait that shows quantitative variation, is inherited, and is easily analysed in the teaching laboratory. Further,sophisticated mathematical treatments need not be applied to teach the relationship between polygenic inheritance and expression.

Dermatoglyphics and Development
Dermal ridges originates from fetal volar pads composed of mesenchymal tissue starting at the sixth to seventh week of development. In general, small pads produce arches and larger pads produce loops or whorls. Lateral displacement of the volar pad creates asymmetry of the pattern. Ridges become visible at about 3 months and are completed by the sixth month of prenatal development.