Human Body

Why do your fingers wrinkle in water?

Wet fingers wrinkle because nerves tell tiny blood vessels to narrow. Water does not simply puff the skin like a sponge. After soaking, the nervous system makes blood vessels shrink under the skin, pulling the surface into ridges. The wrinkles may help wet fingers grip slippery objects.

Illustration of your fingers wrinkle in water for the question "Why do your fingers wrinkle in water?"
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