Science doesn’t always get it right. Correct that is. But,
when Science discovers the error, mostly there isn’t a cover-up. Unlike
belief-based “knowledge” where errors in assertion are usually met with a denial
of the error and a reaffirmation of the erroneous belief. The Church and
Galileo for example.
So, when I discovered that for 40 years I have been teaching
as fact the reason hands and feet wrinkle when they get wet is NOT because the
epidermis there absorbs water and swells I was surprised. And then motivated to
set the record straight for all my former students who read my stuff and the
rest of you who were no doubt told the same thing. See, we actually thought
that was the correct mechanism. WRONG. The answer is this: In order to grip wet
surfaces, when the nervous system detects such a surface the blood supply to
the epidermis of the gripping surfaces (finger and toe pads and somewhat palms
of the hands and feet) which in turn makes the surface wrinkle, thereby increasing
the surface area for gripping. A simple adaption (this is evolution folks) to climbing around in wet
places and/or gripping wet or damp things.
Now you know.
Image: Hand;
http://www.dreamstime.com/wrinkled-fingers-thumb434852.jpg
Image: Foot;
http://www.sciencebob.com/images/wrinkled_toes.gif
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