On the Variability and Correlation of the Lengths of Phalanges and Metacarpals

On the basis of right hand radiographs of the Japanese (30 males and 30 females), the variability and correlation of each long bone length was considered. Bones on the distal and middle phalangeal rows and on the first and fifth rays were relatively more variable. The higher degree of correlation occurred in the bones on the proximal phalangeal row and those on the fourth and third rays, compared with others. Human pollex consisting of two phalanges seemed to be resultant from the fusion of the middle phalanx to the distal one or the disappearance of the middle phalanx.