title: Distribution of middle phalangeal hair in the two groups of Srivaishnava Brahmins of Tirupati (South India).
abstract: 400 adult unrelated individuals of both sexes were studied from two groups of Srivaishnava Brahmins residing in Tirupati, South India, for the distribution of middle phalangeal hair (MPH). The occurrence of MPH was predominantly manifested on the III, IV, and V digits of both hands in the two sexes of Vadagalai and Tengalai groups. Tengalai males showed higher frequency of presence of MPH (39.00%) than Vadagalai males (37.00%). Among the females the frequency was (36.00 %) in Tengalai and (34.00 %) in Vadagalai groups. Sex differences were not statistically significant in both the groups. Populations of Mongoloid affinity seems to have a marked increase in the frequency of individuals without MPH and the present Srivaishnava Brahmin sample reflects such a similar tendency.
mesh_terms: D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006197:Hair / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors