6 fingered people???

Question

I've met a couple of people having a doubled THUMB which makes the hand to have 6 fingers. Is there a scientific explaination to that??? Thank you.

Answer 1

Polydactyly is the term.

It derives from an error in segmenting the fingers when the hand develops. The exact mechanism have not been determined, but an autosomal dominant gene is involved in most cases. Environmental factors may accentuate the gene.

Answer 2

It's a genetic thing, although it does occur spontaneously. The parents have the option sometimes to have the extra finger removed, if they decide it is something they want. Afterwards, a person can always decide to do it for themselves. If the finger is fully jointed, they may decide to keep it. It itsn't any threat to life or health either way. It's just a genetic mutation, no big deal. There was some rumor that Anne Bolyn had a sixth finger, though I never heard any proof to that. Historically it was at one time considered to be a sign of the devil. Now of course, it's just a different kind of hand. Still, six fingers would make it easier to learn the twelve multiplication table- wouldn't it?

Answer 3

I've seen them with an extra finger on the side of their pinky but not the thumb and the explanation the majority of the time is that they are over developed like women who carry for over 9 months and sometimes with women who are older and have diabetes combo for some reason this over developes babies also

Answer 4

The extra thumb or finger is actually a non developed twin. It occurs when the fertilised egg goes to "split" but doesn't split all the way. the same thing happens with siamese twins, except one doesn't develop any further than the fingers or thumbs. I've seen people with the bodies of another human (the size of a baby) coming out of their stomach!!

Answer 5

It's not too rare for humans to be born with extra fingers or toes.
Nowadays, in the industrialized world doctors usually remove the spares during the early childhood of the oversupplied individual. I use to babysit a child who had a 6th finger growing off the side of his pinky finger. He later had it removed. Some say it has to do w/ genetics but the cause really is unknown.

http://www.dynomed.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/pediatric_orthopedics/Polydactyly.html

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7756

http://ae.medseek.com/adam04/images/en/1719.jpg

http://www.lifespan.org/adam/healthillustratedencyclopedia/1/003176.html

Answer 6

I forget his name but I heard an interview with George Thorogood and he played with this blues man. They played some of his work and he can play more complex stuff because of his 6th finger.

Answer 7

I think it may have to do with twinning not being successful and that's the reason for the extra digit

Answer 8

you should befriend these hyper-fingered people---they bring good luck to those around them. it's like having a leprechaun or a rabbit's foot.

Answer 9

I don't know of any explanation, but don't leave them alone with your girlfriend!

Answer 10

Sh1t happens.