Human Genetics

Here are some of the genetically-influenced traits we study in lab.

Chins without a cleft are relatively smooth.

Chins with a cleft have a pronounced break in the chinline.

Double jointed people can place their palms flat on the table, with their forearms at a 90-degree angle to their palms, and still raise their fingers from the tabletop.

Dimples are depressions in the facial contour on the outside of the "smile marks" at the corners of the mouth.

Attached earlobes don't hang down.

Free earlobes hang down from the external ear.

Hitchhiker's Thumb bends backwards at the last joint.

People without Hitchhiker's Thumb have a straight last joint, even if the bone is curved.

Tongue rollers can curl their tongues like this.

If your hairline goes straight across, you don't have a widow's peak.

If your hairline comes down in a "V" in the middle, you have a widow's peak. Count Dracula had a great one.