Another mystery solved: Why fingers wrinkle in water

[pokerfan]

One of the great mysteries of humankind——Why do my fingers get all wrinkly during baths?——has maybe-possibly been solved. Says science: "Much like the tread on a tire, raisin fingers improve traction." Sure, that sounds reasonable. Apparently the nervous system controls the wrinkle response, and it has nothing to do with bloating or water absorption.

http://gawker.com/5839368/we-now-know-why-fingers-wrinkle-in-water
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/really-the-claim-fingers-wrinkle-because-of-water-absorption

[tridim]

1. Now, explain "shrinkage"

[Broderick]

2. LOL

[pokerfan]

6. Evolution?

Because fish have teeth? :P

[pokerfan]

11. Elaine: It shrinks? Jerry: Like a frightened turtle! (n/t)

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Further evidence for the theory that came out a couple decades ago

that there was a 1-2 million year transition period between the time we came out of the trees and became the hunters of the plains that was spent being semi-aquatic, as indicated by our relative hairlessness, our subcutaneous fat layer, and our affinity for living on coastlines and along rivers. Now this: raisin fingers provide greater traction for getting out of water on slippery rocks.

We are the aquatic ape.

"Wet wrinkles have been confirmed only in humans and macaques."

Notably, the only two primates with an affinity for water, who swim for pleasure.

Cool.

[indepat]

5. Had been puzzled by this phenomena at least for 70 years

;)

[mopinko]

12. damn. i thought it was because skin is so good.

[TlalocW]

4. Huh?

I thought it was because you were absorbing extra water, and it's your very end appendages that can expand like that.

TlalocW

[Occulus]

9. Except that you actually shrivel up in those places

The entire palm is capable of it. I believe it also happens to the feet.

Interesting that it's the nervous system in control of it, though; I was taught in high school biology that it was automatic and had to do with water content and internal salinity, a fact of our biology, as it were. Neat to see that shown to be incorrect...

[Ilsa]

7. Sending this article to pRick Perry. nt

[unblock]

13. lol. he's very wrinkly and he's certainly all wet!

[immoderate]

8. Not to sound like a jerk, but I realized this years ago. Grew up on the beach.

That it is controlled through the nervous system is surprising.

--imm

[pokerfan]

10. You could have published

:P

[immoderate]

14. I coulda been famous! Now look at me! Look at me!!

:cry:


I can do drama...

--imm

[cilla4progress]

15. Too funny!

This is the 2nd time I've heard that this month! Keep the fab facts flying!

[krispos42]

16. I've read that people that have nerve damage to their fingers...

...don't wrinkle when wet. This would explain it quite nicely.