International Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences ISSN: 2277-2103 (Online) An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www. cibtech. org/jms. htm 2014 Vol. 4 (1) January-April, pp. 65-67/Talhar et al. Review Article © Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 65 DERMATOGLYPHICS IN PRIMARY AMENORRHEA – A ROBUST REVIEW *S. Talhar, P. Bokariya, Y. Vaidya, A.K. Pal and M.R. Shende Department of Anatomy, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha - 442102 (Maharashtra) *Author for Correspondence ABSTRACT Dermatoglyphics deals with scientific study of the patterns of skin ridges present on the fingers, toes, palm of the hands and soles of feet. Genetic disorders like; Turner’s syndrome, Gonadal dysgenesis etc, present with primary amenorrhoea and tend to produce characteristic dermatoglyphic abnormalities. Due to their multifactorial etiology, extensive studies have been undertaken to ascertain the relationship between the two i.e. amenorrhoea and Dermatoglyphics. We present a comprehensive account of the research conducted so far in this regard with a desire as well as concern for further exploration of this technique into the newly discovered genetic disorders. Keywords: Primary Amenorrhea, Dermatoglyphics, Ridges, Atd Angle INTRODUCTION The term Dermatoglyphics has its origin from Greek words, derma means skin and glyphic means carvings (Gibbs, 1967) Since many genes take part in the formation of characters, it is possible that genes which predispose to familial disease may also influence the ridge patterns so that particular constellations of dermatoglyphic features may be characteristic of a particular disease (Fuller, 1973). In genetics it is used as a supportive investigation (Gangane, 2008) Embryological basis in dermatoglyphics: The epidermal ridges are formed in the third month of intrauterine life. The ridges are made up of the pores of the sweat glands, present on the palms, palmar surface of the fingers, on the soles and the plantar surface of the toes. Dermal ridge differentiation takes place early in fetal development. Structural changes or a change in the arrangement of the ridges does not occur thereafter. Even after birth, no developmental changes occur in the ridges. The resulting ridge configurations are genetically determined and influenced or modified by environmental factors (Sadler, 2010). They are stable throughout life, unique to the individual and significant as a means of identification. The details of small area are never repeated either in same individual or in a different individual; such is the variability of these ridge patterns. Thus palm prints today are extensively used for the identification of the persons (Mutalik et al., 1968). Researches in the past In the past, characteristic dermatoglyphic abnormalities were reported in genetic disorders like Down’s syndrome, Cat cry syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome etc (Schaumann and Alter, 1976). Other genetic disorders like; Turner’s syndrome, Gonadal dysgenesis etc, manifest with primary amenorrhoea. Amenorrhoea may be primary or secondary. Primary amenorrhoea is when menstruation fails to commence up till the age of 16 years despite development of secondary sexual characters (Padubidri and Daftary, 2011). There is multifactorial i.e. genetic as well as environmental etiology associated with both amenorrhoea and Dermatoglyphics. (Meenakshi et al., 2006) so efforts have been taken to ascertain the relationship between the two. Lindsten et al. (1963) analysed dermatoglyphics in five subjects of Turner’s syndrome and compared with control Swedish females. They found following features them: 1) High degree of pattern intensity on the fingers as measured by high total ridge count.