What are the ridges that make up the distinct pattern of a fingerprint called?

The ridges that create the distinct pattern of a fingerprint are known as friction ridges. These are the raised portions of the skin primarily found on the fingers, palms, toes, and soles of the feet. Friction ridges are crucial for tactile sensitivity and enhancing the grip of the skin against surfaces. The unique arrangement and variations of these ridges result in the individualistic patterns that define each person's fingerprints.

Understanding friction ridges is particularly significant in various fields such as forensic science, where fingerprint analysis is relied upon for identification and criminal investigations. The unique characteristics of these ridges, including their patterns like loops, whorls, and arches, are used to distinguish between different individuals, making them a central component of biometric identification systems.

Other terms listed, such as dermatoglyphics, refer to the scientific study of skin ridges and their patterns but do not specifically name the ridges themselves. The terms print pattern and skin pattern are not commonly used in the context of fingerprint identification and lack the specific connotations that "friction ridges" encompasses in forensic and biometric contexts.