Dominant Traits of the Cheek and Tongue in North Central Nigeria

Cheek dimples (small indentations on the cheeks) and tongue rolling (the ability to fold the tongue) are dominant genetic traits observed in humans. Investigating these traits provides valuable insights into genetic inheritance patterns and their cultural significance across various populations. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and ecological implications of dominant traits like cheek dimples and tongue rolling in individuals across Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 348 North-Central Nigerians, including 231 males and 117 females aged 16 to 30. Data were collected on the presence or absence of cheek dimples, tongue rolling, and tongue-twisting, and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). A chi-square test was conducted with a confidence interval of ±0.5 at a 95% confidence level. Results indicated that 33% of participants had dimples, with 57% having dimples on both cheeks, 15% on the right cheek, and 35% on the left. Additionally, 48.3% of participants had parents with dimples. For tongue rolling, 66.7% of participants could roll their tongues, with 52.6%, 46.6%, 41.4%, and 53.7% able to twist their tongues to the right, left, and both directions and shape them into a U, respectively. These findings offer insights into the prevalence and variability of these traits within the population.

Key Words: cheek dimples, tongue rolling, dominant genetic traits, prevalence, ecological implication