Wrinkled Fingers
Have you ever wondered why do humans get wrinkly fingers and toes when submerged in water by a period of time? According to the article “Wet Wrinkled Fingers Evolved for Better Grip” from The New York Times Magazine, wrinkled fingers are for a better grip for wet objects. Also, wrinkled fingers are considered an evolution. At first, it was thought that the wrinkles on the fingers were caused by osmosis (Changizi, 2011). However, recent studies have shown that without nerves, no wrinkles appear on the finger (Changizi, 2011). It was discovered that the presence of wrinkles on a finger is caused by the autonomic nervous system, which causes vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels) in the fingertips (Kareklas et.al., 2013) Studies show that the main mechanism of the wrinkling is the vasoconstriction and it only occurs in the skin where sweat glands are found; hands and feet (Wilder-Smith & Chow, 2003). It has been found that the purpose of the wrinkles on the fingers is to have a better grip when handling wet objects. …show more content…
In the article by journalist Lewis (2013), researchers conducted a study where the participants had to move wet objects with wrinkled and non-wrinkled fingers. It was confirmed that wrinkled fingers worked better in the movement of wet objects. However, it is not sure how the wrinkled help in the process. There is a hypothesis that claims that the wrinkles on the fingertips function as “rain treads”, which works by moving water away from the fingertips (Lewis, 2013). These wrinkles on the fingertips may have been an adaptation to make it easier for our ancestors to collect food in wet conditions. A similar statement can be said about wrinkles on the toes. They may have been an adaptation to have better footing during wet conditions (Wong, 2014). A question in the article asks: why don’t we have permanently wrinkled fingertips? It has not been confirmed, but researchers think that a finger being permanently wrinkled may cause more problems than benefits. They can cause loss of somatosensory sensitivity on the fingertips or can be exposed to damage on the fingertips (Kareklas et.al. 2013). Wrinkles on the fingertips have caused researchers to use it as a mean to search for nerve injury. …show more content…
Before, nerve injury was tested by inconvenient methods that test for sweat. Now, it is possible that having a finger submerged in water could be a new method to check for nerve damage. If wrinkles do not appear in the fingertips this shows that there is nerve damage to the autonomic fibers. The autonomic fibers are the ones responsible for the wrinkling in the fingertips (Tindall et.al. 2006). This method is easy, fast, and no surgeries are required.
In conclusion, wrinkled fingers are an adaptation used to have a better grip on wet objects. However, the mechanism of how this happens is still unsure. Since wrinkled fingers are an adaptation, they are considered an evolution in the human species. I chose this article because it is something that I’ve always questioned myself about, but not enough as to research about the topic. Why do our fingers wrinkled when submerge in water? I wouldn’t have thought that wrinkled fingers had a purpose. It was a surprise to find out it was because they help have a better grip on wet objects. Also, I find amazing the thought that wrinkled fingers are an evolutionary adaptation. To take notice of an adaptation in
Have you ever wondered why do humans get wrinkly fingers and toes when submerged in water by a period of time? According to the article “Wet Wrinkled Fingers Evolved for Better Grip” from The New York Times Magazine, wrinkled fingers are for a better grip for wet objects. Also, wrinkled fingers are considered an evolution. At first, it was thought that the wrinkles on the fingers were caused by osmosis (Changizi, 2011). However, recent studies have shown that without nerves, no wrinkles appear on the finger (Changizi, 2011). It was discovered that the presence of wrinkles on a finger is caused by the autonomic nervous system, which causes vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels) in the fingertips (Kareklas et.al., 2013) Studies show that the main mechanism of the wrinkling is the vasoconstriction and it only occurs in the skin where sweat glands are found; hands and feet (Wilder-Smith & Chow, 2003). It has been found that the purpose of the wrinkles on the fingers is to have a better grip when handling wet objects. …show more content…
In the article by journalist Lewis (2013), researchers conducted a study where the participants had to move wet objects with wrinkled and non-wrinkled fingers. It was confirmed that wrinkled fingers worked better in the movement of wet objects. However, it is not sure how the wrinkled help in the process. There is a hypothesis that claims that the wrinkles on the fingertips function as “rain treads”, which works by moving water away from the fingertips (Lewis, 2013). These wrinkles on the fingertips may have been an adaptation to make it easier for our ancestors to collect food in wet conditions. A similar statement can be said about wrinkles on the toes. They may have been an adaptation to have better footing during wet conditions (Wong, 2014). A question in the article asks: why don’t we have permanently wrinkled fingertips? It has not been confirmed, but researchers think that a finger being permanently wrinkled may cause more problems than benefits. They can cause loss of somatosensory sensitivity on the fingertips or can be exposed to damage on the fingertips (Kareklas et.al. 2013). Wrinkles on the fingertips have caused researchers to use it as a mean to search for nerve injury. …show more content…
Before, nerve injury was tested by inconvenient methods that test for sweat. Now, it is possible that having a finger submerged in water could be a new method to check for nerve damage. If wrinkles do not appear in the fingertips this shows that there is nerve damage to the autonomic fibers. The autonomic fibers are the ones responsible for the wrinkling in the fingertips (Tindall et.al. 2006). This method is easy, fast, and no surgeries are required.
In conclusion, wrinkled fingers are an adaptation used to have a better grip on wet objects. However, the mechanism of how this happens is still unsure. Since wrinkled fingers are an adaptation, they are considered an evolution in the human species. I chose this article because it is something that I’ve always questioned myself about, but not enough as to research about the topic. Why do our fingers wrinkled when submerge in water? I wouldn’t have thought that wrinkled fingers had a purpose. It was a surprise to find out it was because they help have a better grip on wet objects. Also, I find amazing the thought that wrinkled fingers are an evolutionary adaptation. To take notice of an adaptation in