Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2671-5651
eISSN 2671-566X
    Korean J Phys Anthropol. 2013 Mar;26(1):25-32. Korean.
    Published online Mar 30, 2013.
    https://doi.org/10.11637/kjpa.2013.26.1.25
    Copyright © 2013 Korean Association of Physical Anthropologists
    Original Article

    Difference of Second to Fourth Digit Ratio according to the Methods of Measuring Length

    Soo-Il Kim,1,2 and Keun-Ja Cho3,4
      • 1Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Korea.
      • 2Research Institute for Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Korea.
      • 3Department of Emergency Medical Service, College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University, Korea.
      • 4Research Center for Health Industry, College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University, Korea.
    • Correspondence to: Keun-Ja Cho. (Department of Emergency Medical Service, Kongju National University, korea.), Email: kjcho@kongju.ac.kr
    Received March 04, 2013; Revised March 15, 2013; Accepted March 19, 2013.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D : 4D) reflects exposure level of sex hormones in fetal period and there are various methods for finger length measurement. The aim of this study is to identify an accurate and effective method for finger length measurement.

    This study was done on 272 individuals (115 males, 157 females). Data were collected by measuring index and ring finger length on both hands by calipers, ruler, photocopy, and radiography. The data were analyzed through independent t-test, paired t-test, Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS win 19.0.

    This study showed that the 2nd and 4th finger measured by radiography were the longest finger both of males and females and revealed the largest length difference between 2nd and 4th finger. There were significant sex differences all of 4 measurement methods in 2D : 4D, especially remarkable sex difference by radiography and photography. The 2D : 4D by indirect measurement was lower than that of direct measurement. Correlation between digit ratio by radiography and by photocopy was 0.590 and correlation between digit ratio by radiography and by calipers was 0.586.

    The results of this study suggest that indirect measurement by radiography can be alternated by photocopy primarily and by calipers secondarily.

    Keywords
    Digit ratio (2D : 4D); Direct measurement by calipers; Direct measurement by ruler; Indirect measurement by photocopy; Indirect measurement by radiography

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Second and fourth finger length by radiography was measured from proximl end of proximal phalanx to distal end of distal phalanx.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Differences of second and fourth finger length according to measurement method (N=272)

    Table 2
    Sex differences of second to fourth digit ratio according to measurement method (N=272)

    Table 3
    Differences of measurement method in second to fourth digit ratio (N=272)

    Table 4
    Correlation among digit ratios according to measurement method of finger length (N=272)

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    MeSH Terms
    Female
    Fingers
    Gonadal Steroid Hormones
    Hand
    Humans
    Male
    Photography
    Sex Characteristics
    Metrics
    Share
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