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Widow's peak

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This article is about the physical trait. For other uses, seeWidow's Peak.

ActorGary Cooperhad a distinctive widow's peak.

Awidow's peakis a V-shaped point in thehairlinein the center of theforehead.Hair growth on the forehead is suppressed in abilateralpair ofperiorbitalfields. Without a widow's peak, these fields join in the middle of the forehead so as to give a hairline that runs straight across. A widow's peak results when the point of intersection on the forehead of the upper perimeters of these fields is lower than usual.

Definition[edit]

A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of theforehead;[1]there are varying degrees of the peak. Although it is commonly taught as an example of a dominantinherited trait,[2][3]there are no scientific studies to support this.[4][5]

Etymology[edit]

Sculpture ofOlimpia Maidalchiniwearing a widow's hood.

The term stems from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead – suggestive of the peak of a widow's hood – is anomenof earlywidowhood.[6]The use of peak in relation to hair dates from 1833.[7]The expression widow's peak dates from 1849.[7]The use of peak may refer to the beak or bill of aheaddress,particularly the distinctivehoodwith a pointed piece in front – a biquoquet[8]– which widows wore as a hood ofmourningdating from 1530.[7]Another explanation for the origin of the phrase suggests that it may be related to the mourning caps worn as early as the 16th century. Amourning capor 'Mary Stuart Cap' is a cap which features a very distinctive triangular fold of cloth in the middle of the forehead, creating an artificial widow's peak. The use of peak referring to a point in the cloth covering the forehead dates to at least 1509 when it appears inAlexander Barclay’sThe Shyp of Folys:

And ye Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde Lased on the backe: your peakes set a loft.[9]

Causes[edit]

Ely Guv Hintonith and M. Michael Cohen hypothesized the widow's peak hairline to be an anomaly[10]that results from a lower-than-usual point of intersection of the bilateral periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.[11]This can occur because the periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression are smaller than usual, or because they are more widely spaced.[11]Wide spacing also explains the association betweenocularhypertelorism– that is, the eyes being abnormally far apart – and widow's peak;[11]this was suggested by findings in an unusual case of ocular hypertelorism in which surrounding scalp-hair growth was suppressed by an ectopic (displaced) eye.[12]In some cases, Widow's peaks are a symptom ofDonnai-Barrow syndrome,a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in theLRP2gene.[13]Other genetic syndromes occasionally associated with widow's peaks includeWaardenburg syndromeandAarskog syndrome.[14]Widow's Peaks are also seen to derive from Opitz G/BBB syndrome.

Widow's peaks are slightly more common among males, although in recent studies the difference has been found to not be statistically significant. Studies among the Isoko ethnic group in Nigeria found that 15.45% of males had a widow's peak present as compared to 16.36% of females.[15]

Notable examples[edit]

Musician Harry Styles has a distinctive natural widow's peak.

People with natural widow's peaks include singersBritney Spears,Damiano David,Alex Turner,Lauren Jauregui,Jack White,Harry Styles,Kat Bjelland,Rebecca Black,andZayn Malik,six-time worldSnookerchampionRay Reardon(nicknameDracula,in reference to his prominent widow's peak and sharpcanine teeth.),[16]professional tennis playerTaylor Fritz,actorsChris Hemsworth,Keanu Reeves,Kit Harington,Leonardo DiCaprio,[17][18]John Travolta,[17]Grace Kelly,[17]Blake Lively,[17]Fran Drescher,[17][18]Rita Hayworth,Marilyn Monroe,Andy García,Colin Farrell,James Roday,Rekha,Luke Evans,and male modelHamza Ali Abbasi,[19][20]as well as politiciansPaul Ryan,[21]Ronald Reagan,[21]Andrew Jackson.[21]

A number of fictional people have a widow's peak.[22]In film, this trait is often associated with avillainor antagonist;[23]Count Draculais an example.Eddie Munster– from the television programThe Munsters– also had this distinctive hairline.[22]Another villain depicted as having widow's peak hair isThe JokerfromBatmancomic books and films.Namor, the Sub-Marinerhas long held the feature.[24]Vegetafrom theDragon Ballfranchise is known for his widow's peak.[22]Hannibal Lecteris repeatedly described as having one in the novels that feature his story. However, the hairline is not strictly associated with fictional villains, for example beloved Disney character Mickey Mouse sports a distinctive widow's peak. The original illustrations ofSherlock Holmespresent the famed detective with a prominent widow's peak, as do all ofSpider-Manco-creatorSteve Ditko's drawings ofPeter Parker,and a sketch ofJames Bondpersonally commissioned by the authorIan Fleming.Pulp fictionheroDoc Savagealso had this hair trait.[25]Oberyn MartellfromGeorge R. R. Martin'sA Song of Ice and Firenovels is described as having a prominent widow's peak.

Additionally, widow's peaks are shown to poll well for politicians. According to research byShawn Rosenbergof theUniversity of California, Irvine,"widow’s peaks (though more so on female candidates) were a clear positive. It was associated with being seen as more competent and with greater integrity".[26]

See also[edit]

  • Hay hood,a barn architectural element sometimes called widow's peak

References[edit]

  1. ^Biology Online Dictionary.RetrievedJanuary 23,2018.
  2. ^"Human Traits: autosomal".Introductory Biology I Lab Projects. Archived fromthe originalon January 23, 2016.RetrievedApril 21,2010.
  3. ^"Dominant Inheritance".Genetics Generation.RetrievedJanuary 23,2018.
  4. ^McDonald, John H. (December 8, 2011)."Myths of Human Genetics: Widow's peak: The myth".RetrievedOctober 26,2013.
  5. ^"Observable Human Characteristics".Learn.Genetics.RetrievedJanuary 23,2018.
  6. ^Online Etymology Dictionary.RetrievedApril 21,2010.
  7. ^abcExpressions & Sayings:W.RetrievedApril 21,2010.
  8. ^Randle Cotgrave (1776).A French and English dictionary.Anthony Dolle (Golden Ball).RetrievedDecember 11,2011.
  9. ^Wilton, David.Wordorigins.org.RetrievedApril 21,2010.
  10. ^Smith, DW; Cohen, MM (November 17, 1973)."Widow's peak scalp-hair anomaly and its relation to ocular hypertelorism".Lancet.2(7838): 1127–8.doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(73)90939-2.PMID4128017.RetrievedMarch 26,2017.
  11. ^abcHall, Judith G.; Allanson, Judith; Gripp, Karen; Slavotinek, Anne (2007).Handbook of physical measurements.Oxford medical publications. p. 336.ISBN9780195301496.
  12. ^Smith, D.W.; Cohen, M.M. (November 17, 1973). "Widow's Peak Scalp-Hair Anomaly and its Relation to Ocilar Hyperthelorism".The Lancet.302(7838): 1127–8.doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(73)90939-2.PMID4128017.
  13. ^Donnai-Barrow syndrome, National Institute of Health,http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/donnai-barrow-syndrome
  14. ^William Reardon (September 28, 2007).The Bedside Dysmorphologist.Oxford University Press. p. 16.ISBN978-0-19-971982-2.
  15. ^Ogbor-Omorie, Ese; Anibor; Opiah, Adaeze (January 14, 2016)."The distribution of widow's peak trait among young adults of the Isoko ethnic group in Delta State, Nigeria".Annals of Bioanthropology.3(2): 47–49.doi:10.4103/2315-7992.173985.S2CID133139008.RetrievedDecember 29,2021.
  16. ^"Snooker legend Ray Reardon at 90: 'Proud for Wales, proud for myself'".BBC Sport.October 8, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 23,2024.
  17. ^abcdeDana Oliver (October 10, 2013)."23 Celebrity Widow's Peaks You Never Noticed".Huffington Post.RetrievedJanuary 4,2014.
  18. ^abJennifer Wolfe (April 24, 2013)."Am I Turning Into My Mother? 5 Traits You Inherit From Your Mom".RetrievedJanuary 4,2014.
  19. ^Karl (March 22, 2012)."Top 15 Most Memorable Men's Hairstyles In Movies".CoolMensHair.com.RetrievedJuly 7,2017.
  20. ^"50 Short Haircuts for Men of 2018 - 2hairstyle".2hairstyle.com.November 24, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon November 29, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  21. ^abcRoberts, Roxanne; Argetsinger, Amy (April 6, 2012)."Paul Ryan's widow's peak: A game-changer in GOP veepstakes?".Washington Post.
  22. ^abcRedmond, J.C. (September 2, 2009). Arnold, Paul (ed.)."What Causes Widow's Peak Hair?".RetrievedApril 21,2010.
  23. ^"It really was love at first bite".The Guardian.London. August 14, 2012.RetrievedNovember 15,2012.
  24. ^"Namor (Character)".
  25. ^Mallory, Michael."Lester Dent: The Man Behind Doc Savage".
  26. ^Source, The Reliable (April 5, 2012)."Paul Ryan's widow's peak: A game-changer in GOP veepstakes?".The Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.RetrievedFebruary 1,2016.

External links[edit]

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