Dermatoglyphics in the testicular feminization syndrome.

Dermatoglyphic characteristics, both quantitative and qualitative, of fingers and palms of 19 46,XY propositae with the complete form of the testicular feminization syndrome, derived from 28 index kinships, have been analysed in detail. The results reveal trends which allow the tentative conclusions to be reached that in normal circumstances, and insofar as the sex chromosome influence is concerned, aspects of the development of the palmar patterns of loops and triradii may be directly influenced by the sex chromosomal complement of the fetus; by contrast the digital ridges, and, secondarily, the digital patterns, may be influenced to an extent by testicular androgens.