Sex variations in thumbprint ridge count of a Nigerian population in Calabar Municipality

The present study aimed at determining the association between thumbprint ridge count and sex variation among Nigerians in Calabar Municipality. A total number of 300 subjects (150 males and 150 females) aged between 12-35 years participated in the study. Conventional method of using ink pad was used to collect thumbprint of both hands and analysed using magnifying lens. The study confirmed the results of some earlier works done by other researchers on fingerprints. It further established the distribution proportions of thumbprint for both hands in both sexes for the population. The uniqueness of fingerprint to individuals was reaffirmed as no two thumbprints were identical among the 300 subjects under study. These results show that the order of prevalence are as follows; among males, in whatever combination of thumbprint pattern, whorl is the most occurring, followed by loop and arch. Among females, in whatever combination of thumbprint pattern, loop is the most occurring followed by whorl and arch. The result equally showed the mean thumbprint ridge count of females to be lower than that of males (20.91 as against 27.85 respectively). The difference in pattern between left and right hands in females was significant. In conclusion the thumbprint ridge count shows gender dysmorphism in the Nigerian population.Keywords: Fingers, epidermal ridges, thumbprint ridge coun