11/29/2004: Extra fingers and toes

Undertoad · 11-29-2004, 11:38 AM

It does happen: these are the appendages of some dude named Tirso Furcal, who's from the Dominican Republic. Furcal was born with a sixth toe on each foot, as well as an extra finger on his right hand. It made life as a stone polisher more difficult, often painful. But no longer: he's had the extra digits removed in an operation at the Jersey City Medical Center.

LabRat · 11-29-2004, 11:53 AM

polydactly- certain drugs taken during gestation make this more common...

Cyber Wolf · 11-29-2004, 11:55 AM

He could've donated that finger to a friend of mine who lost his thumb to a lawn mower when he was 9. Then my friend really would have five fingers on one hand.

perth · 11-29-2004, 11:56 AM

Which ones? I mean, not that I would ever encourage that sort of thing.

Troubleshooter · 11-29-2004, 12:01 PM

Let me guess, he got the surgery for free right?

Nutbar · 11-29-2004, 12:56 PM

Antonio Alfonseca, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, has 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot. His nickname is "Pulpo" (octopus).

Elspode · 11-29-2004, 02:40 PM

I would have liked to have seen this guy's x-rays.

jinx · 12-20-2004, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

I would have liked to have seen this guy's x-rays.

Does anyone know how I would go about putting xray images on the computer? Probably phrased that wrong... I have xrays I want to save as jpgs but they don't scan well - too dark. Any ideas?

Syrinx · 12-02-2004, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troubleshooter

Let me guess, he got the surgery for free right?

Nope, it cost him an arm and a leg.

-rim shot-

garnet · 11-29-2004, 12:54 PM

Extra toes are somewhat common in cats (like the cats at the Hemingway estate in Key West). Somehow they are MUCH cuter on cats than on this guy.

wah · 11-29-2004, 02:48 PM

a friend of mine had a dog once with an extra toe on each foot. It allowed the canine to climb trees.

Every time he climbed up and caught a cat, we let him breed...

melidasaur · 11-29-2004, 03:23 PM

I remember from High School biology that having 6 fingers and toes is actually a dominant gene... so the rest of us with just 5 are really the freaks. Take this tidbit for what it's worth, but i think i'm actually right on this one.

Tanalia · 11-29-2004, 05:40 PM

The polydactly gene is dominant, yes. However, than does not mean 'normal' -- a mutant gene may be dominant like this one or recessive in cases like haemophilia. What is considered normal is determined by the population as a whole.

Wombat · 11-29-2004, 05:49 PM

It's one of the most common abnormalities. Often the extra digit gets snipped off just after birth, the wound heals up with no sign of a scar.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-29-2004, 06:19 PM

Mom said, back when newborns (and moms) stayed in the hospital for several days, they'd tie off extra digits with surgical thread. It would usually drop off before they left the hospital.
Of course that's for the ones with no bone in them which was the most common kind.

Welcome to the Cellar, Nutbar.

11-29-2004, 11:38 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	11/29/2004: Extra fingers and toes It does happen: these are the appendages of some dude named Tirso Furcal, who's from the Dominican Republic. Furcal was born with a sixth toe on each foot, as well as an extra finger on his right hand. It made life as a stone polisher more difficult, often painful. But no longer: he's had the extra digits removed in an operation at the Jersey City Medical Center.

11-29-2004, 11:53 AM	#2
LabRat twatfaced two legged bumhole Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,143	polydactly- certain drugs taken during gestation make this more common... __________________ Strength does not come from how much weight you can lift, or how many miles you can run. It comes from knowing that you set a goal, and rose to the challenge. Strength comes from within.

11-29-2004, 11:55 AM	#3
Cyber Wolf As stable as a ring of PU-239 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: On a huge rock covered in water, highly advanced moss and 7 billion parasites Posts: 1,264	He could've donated that finger to a friend of mine who lost his thumb to a lawn mower when he was 9. Then my friend really would have five fingers on one hand. __________________ "I don't see what's so triffic about creating people as people and then getting' upset 'cos they act like people." ~Adam Young, Good Omens "I don't see why it matters what is written. Not when it's about people. It can always be crossed out." ~Adam Young, Good Omens

11-29-2004, 12:01 PM	#5
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	Let me guess, he got the surgery for free right? __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

11-29-2004, 02:40 PM	#7
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	I would have liked to have seen this guy's x-rays. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-29-2004, 11:56 AM	#4
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	Which ones? I mean, not that I would ever encourage that sort of thing.

11-29-2004, 12:56 PM	#6
Nutbar Recruit or Something Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 4	Antonio Alfonseca, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, has 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot. His nickname is "Pulpo" (octopus).

11-29-2004, 12:54 PM	#10
garnet ... Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 657	Extra toes are somewhat common in cats (like the cats at the Hemingway estate in Key West). Somehow they are MUCH cuter on cats than on this guy.

11-29-2004, 02:48 PM	#11
wah Vivacious Vivisectionist Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 36	a friend of mine had a dog once with an extra toe on each foot. It allowed the canine to climb trees. Every time he climbed up and caught a cat, we let him breed... Last edited by wah; 11-29-2004 at 02:48 PM. Reason: typo

11-29-2004, 03:23 PM	#12
melidasaur Traded your soul for pogs. Join Date: May 2004 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 646	I remember from High School biology that having 6 fingers and toes is actually a dominant gene... so the rest of us with just 5 are really the freaks. Take this tidbit for what it's worth, but i think i'm actually right on this one. __________________ I love England, what can I say?

11-29-2004, 05:40 PM	#13
Tanalia Casual Observer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay area Posts: 19	The polydactly gene is dominant, yes. However, than does not mean 'normal' -- a mutant gene may be dominant like this one or recessive in cases like haemophilia. What is considered normal is determined by the population as a whole.

11-29-2004, 05:49 PM	#14
Wombat (marsupial with backward-facing pouch) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canberra Posts: 251	It's one of the most common abnormalities. Often the extra digit gets snipped off just after birth, the wound heals up with no sign of a scar. __________________ If you don't do it properly, you'll get to the pub sooner.

11-29-2004, 06:19 PM	#15
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Mom said, back when newborns (and moms) stayed in the hospital for several days, they'd tie off extra digits with surgical thread. It would usually drop off before they left the hospital. Of course that's for the ones with no bone in them which was the most common kind. Welcome to the Cellar, Nutbar. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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