Frequency of Basic Types of Dorsal Hand Vein Patterns in the Slovak Population

Petra Švábová; Zuzana Kozáková; Stela Orosová; Mária Chovancová; Zuzana Matušíková; Radoslav Beňuš

doi:10.18778/1898-6773.89.1.03

Authors

Petra Švábová Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7497-4359
Zuzana Kozáková Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0125-9673
Stela Orosová Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
Mária Chovancová Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1114-124X
Zuzana Matušíková Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
Radoslav Beňuš Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5917-1689

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1898-6773.89.1.03

Keywords:

venous morphology, biometric identification, sex differences, vascular symmetry

Abstract

Introduction

Dorsal hand vein pattern represents a unique morphological feature of the human body which may serve as a biometric tool for forensic identification.

Study Aim

The primary aim of this study was to determine the frequency and distribution of dorsal hand vein patterns in a Slovak adult population, with respect to sex and laterality of the hand.

Material and Methods

This study provides a morphological analysis of dorsal hand vein patterns in a sample of 70 healthy adults from the Slovak population. Vein configurations were classified using the 1951 system developed by Suchý, distinguishing four main types: branched, double-branched, simple, and composite.

Results

The most frequent patterns were branched and double-branched, while the composite form was rare. No statistically significant differences were found between sexes or between hands, suggesting a high degree of bilateral and intersexual symmetry. A rare morphological subtype, labelled 2N4, appeared exclusively in females on the left hand, potentially reflecting sex-linked vascular variation.

Conclusion

The results support the hypothesis that dorsal venous architecture is largely determined by early developmental and genetic factors. Given the pattern stability and inter-individual variability, dorsal hand veins remain a promising biometric marker. Despite limitations related to imprinting technique and assessment subjectivity, the study offers a valuable anatomical reference for future biometric, forensic, or anthropological research.

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