What your hands reveal about your health

Women with ring fingers that are longer than their index fingers, typically a male trait, are twice as likely to have osteoarthritis in the knees, according to an Arthritis & Rheumatism study.

Low oestrogen levels may be a factor.

The same feature has been linked to higher athletic ability and verbal aggression in both genders.

In men, a significantly longer ring finger (indicating an in utero testosterone surge during the second trimester) is associated with having more children and better relationships with women – but a higher risk of prostate cancer.