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Resemblance of Tongue Anatomy in Twins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Andrew I. Spielman ,
Joseph G. Brand ,
Yvonne Buischi  and
Walter A. Bretz
Andrew I. Spielman
Affiliation:
Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry, United States of America.
Joseph G. Brand
Affiliation:
Monell Chemical Senses Center and Department of Biochemistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Yvonne Buischi
Affiliation:
Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, New York University College of Dentistry, United States of America.
Walter A. Bretz*
Affiliation:
Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, New York University College of Dentistry, United States of America. [email protected]
*
*ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Walter. A. Bretz, DDS, PhD, New York University College of Dentistry, Department of Cariology & Comprehensive Care, 345 East 24th Street, Room 1005, New York, NY, 10010.

Abstract

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This study compared the anatomical features of the tongue in nine pairs of twins — six monozygotic and three dizygotic. The aim of the project was to determine if tongues, like any other anatomical structure, could be used to reliably predict relatedness given that tongue shape, presentation and surface can be influenced by environment. Using the method of forced choice, 30 subjects were asked to match the photographs of tongues from twins. Our data indicate that, based on visual assessment, monozygotic twins have highly similar tongues (60% matches); similarly, dizygotic twins were matched 31% of the time, which is a higher probability than would be expected from random selection. This study should help identify baseline and control data in future behavioral studies of taste, which has a genetic basis.

Keywords

twinsconcordanceanatomytongue
Type
Articles
Information
Twin Research and Human Genetics , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , 01 June 2011 , pp. 277 - 282
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011