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Can a Person Have 11 Fingers?

Published in Human Anatomy 2 mins read

Yes, a person can have 11 fingers, although it is rare.

Polydactyly Explained

Polydactyly is the medical term for having extra fingers or toes. The condition is present at birth, meaning individuals are born with the extra digit(s). It can affect one or both hands or feet. The term "polydactyly" comes from the Greek words "poly" (meaning many) and "dactylos" (meaning finger or toe).

How Does Polydactyly Occur?

Polydactyly is usually caused by genetic mutations and can be inherited. In some cases, it may occur spontaneously without a family history of the condition. Sometimes, environmental factors during pregnancy can also play a role, although this is less common.

Types of Polydactyly

Polydactyly can manifest in various ways:

  • Preaxial Polydactyly: An extra digit on the thumb side of the hand (or big toe side of the foot).
  • Postaxial Polydactyly: An extra digit on the little finger side of the hand (or little toe side of the foot). This is the most common type.
  • Central Polydactyly: An extra digit between the thumb and little finger. This is the rarest type.

Treatment Options

Treatment for polydactyly usually involves surgical removal of the extra digit(s). The complexity of the surgery depends on how well-formed the extra digit is and whether it shares bones or blood vessels with existing fingers. In some cases, if the extra digit is poorly formed and attached only by a skin tag, it may be tied off to cut off circulation and allow it to fall off naturally.

Conclusion

Therefore, while the typical number of fingers per hand is five, genetic variations can lead to polydactyly, resulting in individuals having more than ten fingers in total. The presence of 11 fingers, although not common, is certainly possible.