Evaluation of the relationship between the 2D

4D ratio, fine hand motor skills, and anatomy practical examination performance in first-year medical students

Bibliographic Data

ID22424432
AuthorsAbdullah Ors (0000-0002-6977-7833, Kocaeli Üniversitesi, corresponding author), Hamza Atalar (Kocaeli Üniversitesi)
Year2026
Volume26
Issue1
Pages258-258
Publication date2026-01-19
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMC Medical Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1472-6920 • E-ISSN: 1472-6920
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1186/s12909-026-08617-w
PMID41549235
OpenAlexW7124747520
LanguageEN
References cited44

BACKGROUND: The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) has been proposed as a morphometric marker of prenatal androgen exposure and has been linked to cognitive and behavioral traits. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio, fine hand motor skills, and practical anatomy examination performance among first-year medical students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included voluntary first-year medical students at Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine. The lengths of the second (2D) and fourth (4D) fingers of the right hand were measured using a digital caliper, and the 2D:4D ratio was calculated. Fine hand motor performance was assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT). Practical anatomy examination scores were used to determine practical examination performance. Students with an average score above 65 were classified as successful. RESULTS: Correlation analysis showed a weak but statistically significant negative association between NHPT duration and practical anatomy examination performance (ρ = -0.21, p = 0.043). Female students achieved significantly higher mean practical examination scores than males (p = 0.044). No significant correlation was found between the 2D:4D ratio and practical examination performance (ρ = 0.02, p = 0.854). Successful students completed the NHPT in significantly shorter time than their peers (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Fine hand motor skills performance was significantly associated with practical examination success, whereas no significant association was observed between the 2D:4D ratio and examination performance. Future studies should further investigate the influence of sex, question type, way of flagging, and time constraints in anatomy practical examinations.

Correlation · Digit ratio · Final examination · Motor skill · Neurological examination · Physical examination · Congenital heart defects research · Intestinal Malrotation and Obstruction Disorders · Sexual Differentiation and Disorders

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