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Left-handedness and tongue-rolling ability
1Department of Educational Theory and Practice, Mathematics Education Faculty, Ohio State University 43210.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Right-handers are more likely to be able to roll their tongues than left-handers. Sex differences in tongue rolling ability were also observed in this study of handedness and tongue rolling.
Area of Science:
- Human genetics
- Physiology
Background:
- Tongue rolling is a commonly cited example of a simple Mendelian trait.
- However, previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding the inheritance pattern of tongue rolling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between handedness and tongue rolling ability.
- To examine sex differences in tongue rolling prevalence.
Main Methods:
- 948 undergraduates completed the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory.
- Participants reported their ability to turn up the sides of their tongues.
Main Results:
- 74.8% of right-handers could roll their tongues, compared to 62.8% of left-handers.
- Tongue rolling was more prevalent in men (77.4%) than in women (69.7%).
Conclusions:
- Handedness is associated with tongue rolling ability.
- Sex influences tongue rolling prevalence.