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Finger wrinkling in water is an active nerve reflex, not passive swelling

Evolutionary biologists have debunked the long-held theory that finger wrinkling in water is due to passive skin swelling. Instead, research indicates it's an active, neurally mediated reflex controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. This reflex causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to inward skin collapse and wrinkle formation, and it is specifically observed on glabrous skin like fingertips and soles. AI

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RANK_REASON The cluster discusses a scientific finding about a biological phenomenon. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.1]

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Finger wrinkling in water is an active nerve reflex, not passive swelling

COVERAGE [1]

  1. Forbes — Innovation TIER_1 · Scott Travers, Contributor ·

    Why Do Our Fingers Get Wrinkly In Water? An Evolutionary Biologist Explains

    Science dismissed the wrinkly finger as osmosis for a century. The real answer runs through your autonomic nervous system, and much further back.