Скачать или смотреть The Science Behind Six Fingers 🧬

Having six fingers on a hand is called polydactyly. It is one of the most common congenital variations of the human body. In the global population, polydactyly occurs in roughly 0.1 to 0.2 percent of people, which means about 1 in 500 to 1,000 individuals. However, a fully functional sixth finger with bones, joints, tendons, and usable muscle control is much rarer. Estimates suggest this occurs in about 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 people worldwide. In absolute numbers, that would be several hundred thousand people globally with a truly working extra finger.

This condition happens during early embryonic development, when the hands are forming. It is usually caused by genetic mutations that affect how the limb buds grow. In many cases, polydactyly is inherited and follows an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning only one copy of the gene is needed. It can also appear spontaneously with no family history. Certain populations show higher rates due to genetic clustering or historical isolation.

The consequences depend heavily on the structure of the extra finger. A non functional finger may interfere with grip, fine motor skills, or fitting into gloves and tools. In contrast, a well developed sixth finger can actually improve dexterity and strength. Some studies show that people with a functional extra finger can perform complex tasks with less strain, as the brain is capable of integrating the additional digit into motor control naturally.

As for solutions, there is usually no medical need for intervention if the sixth finger is functional and causes no discomfort. When the extra finger is poorly formed or causes mechanical problems, surgical removal is commonly performed in infancy for easier adaptation. In cases where the finger is fully functional, many people choose to keep it. There is growing interest in studying such individuals to better understand human motor plasticity and even to inform future prosthetic and augmentation technologies.

Original video credit: IG/zhangkuaile34.

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