Chances are, you have an innie belly button like the majority of people. Innies are much more common, while outies are rare and found in only about 10 percent of adults. Contrary to popular belief, the shape of the belly button isn’t determined by how the umbilical cord is cut at birth, but rather by how the scar heals afterward.

Some people with outie belly buttons opt for revision surgery to correct them, even though there’s nothing inherently wrong with having an outie. It’s all about personal preference and aesthetic choice.

You’ve likely never hesitated when indicating your eye color on a form, but for individuals with heterochromia, this question is a bit more complex. Heterochromia manifests in three types: complete, central, and partial.

In complete heterochromia, like this girl’s case, each eye is a distinctly different color. While often a genetic mutation, it can also result from certain medical syndromes or eye injuries. In the United States, fewer than 200,000 people have this condition.

Golden blood is not what it sounds like. Rather than actual golden blood, it’s an incredibly rare blood type that only 40 people in the world have. Scientifically, people with golden blood are missing Rh-blood cell antigens. Because they lack these antigens, anyone with another rare Rh group can accept this type as donor blood. These individuals are incredibly valuable to the medical community, as their donations can significantly speed up the process of finding donor matches for people with rare blood types.

While many people have to work hard to keep their cholesterol under control, some are naturally exempt from this worry due to a mutation in the PCSK9 gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps regulate cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. This mutation is so rare that it has only been found in two people. Some people have a single mutation that still helps regulate cholesterol levels, though not as effectively. Having this rare gene mutation would be incredibly convenient, as it would eliminate concerns about high cholesterol.

You’ve probably experienced a tingling feeling when your fingers are cold in the winter, but it usually fades once you warm up again. However, some people are left with white and numb fingers for longer than usual. This can happen due to limited blood flow in cold temperatures or stressful situations. It looks as if their hand has been dipped in white paint, making you wonder if they can still feel their fingers or if they might fall off.

Although it looks like an ear piercing, it is actually a congenital condition that causes a small hole or dimple above the outer ear. This tiny opening is usually found where the ear connects to the side of the head. While mostly harmless, it can be susceptible to infection. It’s rare in the West, occurring in less than one percent of the population. Scientists believe this feature may be a vestige of gills, though unfortunately, you can’t use it to breathe underwater.

Our ability to see color is thanks to the three cones in our eyes. However, a small percentage of people, called “tetrachromats,” have a fourth cone. These individuals can see up to 100 million colors, which sounds amazing but can actually be overwhelming due to sensory overload. Despite their unique ability, one person with this rare feature mentioned that her favorite color is white.

Albinism is often considered a single condition, but there are actually different types. One type is ocular albinism, which primarily affects the eyes but can also impact the hair and skin. This condition causes light-colored eyes, reduced vision, sensitivity to light, and other eye issues. According to the Vision of Children Foundation, about 1 in 50,000 people have ocular albinism.

No, this woman isn’t an elf, but she does have elf-like ears due to a condition known as Darwin’s tubercle. This feature is common among Spanish, Indian, and Swedish populations, though scientists are uncertain about the exact cause.

On the bright side, if she ever wanted to work as a seasonal helper at the mall, she could easily get a job as Santa’s helper without needing fake ears. That’s a small win!

Many people opt for eyelash extensions to achieve full and long lashes, but some individuals like this girl don’t need them because they naturally have multiple rows of eyelashes. This condition is called Distichiasis, where a person can have a full set of second lashes or a single lash in a different row.

Famous personalities like Elizabeth Taylor had this mutation, often mistaken for naturally voluminous lashes. However, before envying those with Distichiasis, it’s worth noting that it can cause tearing, eye irritation, and sometimes affect vision.

While you might know many people with red hair, natural redheads are rarer than you might think. Only two percent of the global population is born with red hair. It is slightly more common among people with ancestry from northern and western Europe. Red hair is a recessive gene, meaning both parents need to carry the gene for a child to be born with red hair. Although redheads are disproportionately represented in American pop culture, they still make up only a tiny fraction of the population.

Have you ever experienced a bone fracture? If so, you might envy those with a gene mutation that renders their bones nearly unbreakable. This mutation influences the production of a protein crucial for bone density. Its significance came to light when a man emerged unscathed from a serious car accident without any fractures. Researchers identified his remarkably robust skeleton, boasting bones eight times denser than those of the average person.

While some traits are commonly seen but considered rare, grey eyes are truly uncommon. According to World Atlas, less than one percent of the world’s population has grey eyes. This occurs when there is a low level of melanin in the front layer of the iris. The chances of meeting someone with grey eyes are slim, but they are more prevalent in places where green eyes are common. The only rarer eye colors are red or violet, which are caused by other conditions.

If you’ve experienced the discomfort of having your wisdom teeth removed, it might frustrate you to know that some people are born without them altogether. In fact, it’s considered normal for about 20 percent of the population to lack wisdom teeth.

The occurrence of wisdom teeth varies among different populations. For instance, 100 percent of indigenous Mexicans are born without them, whereas almost all Tasmanian aborigines have them. This natural variation could have spared many people from the pain associated with wisdom tooth extraction.

Here’s something you might not know you have: a rare body feature called the palmaris longus. This muscle, which helped our ancestors climb trees, is still present in some people today, although many no longer use it functionally.

The palmaris longus can be identified by a simple test: place your arm on a flat surface and touch your thumb to your pinky finger. If you have it, this muscle will pop out visibly from your wrist. While it can be used for tendon grafts in medical procedures, it serves no functional purpose for most individuals.

People like Nikola Tesla, Margaret Thatcher, and Winston Churchill had a unique trait, often seen as a blessing rather than a problem. They possessed the DEC2 gene, which enables individuals to complete their sleep cycles in less time than average.

This genetic advantage allows these individuals to function on very little sleep, with minimal negative side effects. It’s estimated that between one and three percent of the population possess this gene, sometimes referred to as the “clock gene” because it extends their waking hours and potentially contributes to their achievements.

We all possess the PCSK9 gene, but a small percentage of the population have a deficiency in this gene, which significantly reduces the risk of heart disease by up to 90 percent. For those individuals, managing cholesterol levels is less of a concern.

Having this deficiency would indeed alleviate a major health worry. Regarding its inheritance, it’s possible for someone to have this deficiency even if heart disease runs in their family, as genetics can vary widely among individuals. This could potentially provide peace of mind knowing they have a genetic advantage in this regard.

While inactive myostatin genes are well-documented in mice and cattle, there have been only a few reported cases in humans. This genetic condition leads to the development of exceptionally strong muscles. Children born with this mutation typically have lean, well-defined muscles from an early age.

Those affected by this condition exhibit greater strength compared to children of similar ages. It is extremely rare, and researchers have limited understanding of the long-term implications of the disorder. As these children grow up, ongoing research will help determine how the condition may affect them later in life.

While grey eyes are the rarest eye color, blue eyes are also relatively uncommon, found in only about eight percent of the global population. There’s a common perception that people with blonde hair often have blue eyes, and this can be traced back to a single ancestral mutation.

Scientists have pinpointed this genetic mutation, which occurred between 6,000 to 12,000 years ago, as the origin of blue-eyed individuals worldwide. Blue eyes are notably more prevalent in Scandinavian countries, where this trait is more common due to historical genetic influences.

Morton’s toe, also known as Greek feet, is a condition where the second toe (the big toe) is smaller in relation to the first toe. Only about ten percent of people have Morton’s toe, and interestingly, the Statue of Liberty exhibits this characteristic.

The term “Greek foot” originates from its prevalence in Greek sculptures, where it was considered the idealized form. This aesthetic preference persisted through Roman and Renaissance art and into later periods, influencing cultural standards of beauty.

It’s not something you might notice at first glance, but only 8.4 percent of people have a counterclockwise hair whorl on their heads. Interestingly, if you belong to the ten percent of the population who are left-handed, you’re more likely to have a counterclockwise hair whorl.

If you’re intrigued, you might start checking the back of people’s heads—you could discover something much rarer than people realize. It could be a fun way to point out how special someone is!

If you’ve ever sneezed because of bright sunlight, you might be part of a small group of people who have a condition called the photic sneeze reflex (PSR). Approximately 25 percent of people experience this unusual reaction to sunlight, which can sometimes pose risks.

One significant consequence of PSR is its potential danger to drivers transitioning from dim light (like a tunnel) to bright sunlight. If you’ve noticed this reaction to sunlight, you might have PSR without even realizing it.

You know those lines on your palms that form intricate patterns? Well, some people have a unique feature where they have a single line across their palm instead of the usual multiple lines. Imagine how straightforward their palm reader’s job would be!

This characteristic, known as a simian crease or simian line, is found in only about 1.5 percent of people on at least one hand. It’s a rare variation in palmistry that stands out due to its distinct appearance.

It might not be obvious when you look at your hand, but there are three primary types of fingerprint patterns: arches, loops, and whorls. Arched fingerprints are the rarest among them. Each person typically has a unique combination of these patterns across their fingers, and it’s possible to have different shapes on each finger.

These distinct fingerprint patterns are not only unique identifiers but also help us grip objects better, thanks to the ridges that form them. It’s fascinating how something seemingly invisible can play such a crucial role in our daily lives and personal identification.

Dextrocardia is a congenital anomaly where one out of every 12,019 people is born with their heart on the right side of their chest instead of the left. This condition typically doesn’t pose significant health risks, although there is a possibility it could impact the positioning of other organs.

Most individuals with dextrocardia lead normal lives, and it’s often said that their heart is always in the right place—literally. However, the altered position of the heart can sometimes lead to digestive issues due to potential blockages in the digestive system.

Amish communities are often viewed as enigmatic due to their closed-off nature, maintaining a lifestyle that isolates them from broader society. However, a 2017 study uncovered a fascinating genetic trait among the Amish: a mutation that prevents blood clots from forming.

This genetic variation not only extends their lifespan by up to ten years but also reduces their likelihood of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease. As a result, individuals carrying this mutation within Amish communities may indeed enjoy longer life expectancies compared to the general population.

Body odor can be a source of embarrassment because, for most people, showering is the only solution to eliminate the smell. However, some individuals suffer from a genetic disorder that causes them to emit a persistent and unpleasant odor.

This genetic anomaly results in a strong body odor that resembles the scent of rotting fish. Fortunately, this condition affects less than one percent of the population, making it quite rare.

While some people naturally grow a lot of hair and need extra grooming, others experience a genetic skin condition known as Ambras syndrome, which causes excessive hair growth all over their bodies. This condition, also known as hypertrichosis universalis, can result in thick hair covering large areas of the body.

Since the Middle Ages, Ambras syndrome has only affected about 50 people. The condition arises from a gene mutation that disrupts the normal signaling messages to cells responsible for follicle development, leading to the excessive growth of hair.

Many people strive to maintain youthfulness throughout their lives, but for some, a genetic disorder called Progeria causes them to age at an accelerated rate. Symptoms typically become apparent within the first two years of life.

Individuals with Progeria experience severe symptoms such as excessive hair loss, thinning skin, and premature wrinkling. Sadly, their life expectancy is usually only between 13 to 20 years, and as of now, scientists have not found a cure for this condition.

When embarking on an expedition to Mount Everest, climbers often enlist Sherpas for guidance and support. These native Tibetans and Nepalese possess a unique ability to thrive at high altitudes where many others struggle with altitude sickness.

This exceptional tolerance to high altitudes is linked to a “superathlete gene” believed to have originated from the Denisovans, an ancient group that inhabited mountainous regions of Asia around 40,000 years ago. This genetic adaptation helps their bodies distribute oxygen more efficiently, enabling them to perform and function effectively at extreme elevations.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue, causing individuals to be tall and lanky with elongated limbs. This condition can lead to various health complications, particularly affecting the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and skeleton.

Severely affected individuals may experience bones that dislocate easily, strain on the aorta (the main artery carrying blood from the heart), and early-onset arthritis. Approximately one in 5,000 people are born with this genetic mutation, which can significantly impact their quality of life and health outcomes.

HIV has been responsible for the deaths of millions of people since its emergence as an epidemic in 1981. However, a small subset of individuals of Northern European descent possess a rare genetic mutation known as CCR5 delta 32, which confers resistance to HIV.

This genetic abnormality prevents the HIV virus from entering cells by effectively closing the receptor normally used for viral entry. Scientists have been exploring potential treatments and cures for HIV by studying and replicating the genetic traits of those naturally immune to the virus, including experimental approaches using stem cells.

Symbrachydactyly is a congenital condition where a person is born with fewer than five fingers on their hand, often resulting from inadequate blood flow to the developing tissues in the womb.

Typically, individuals with symbrachydactyly have four fingers on the affected hand. While the pinky finger is often considered less critical for dexterity compared to the thumb, individuals with this condition may still face challenges in gripping and manipulating objects. However, many adapt well using their remaining fingers, particularly the thumb, which is essential for various tasks.

Anisocoria is a condition characterized by unequal pupil sizes, where one pupil functions normally while the other remains in a fixed, dilated position. This can give the appearance of one large pupil and one smaller, functioning pupil.

Individuals with anisocoria may have experienced others questioning if they were under the influence of drugs or experiencing health issues due to its uncommon appearance. Fortunately, for most people affected by anisocoria, the condition is typically harmless.

Interestingly, some may find the distinct appearance of anisocoria fascinating or even aesthetically unique.

Poliosis is a condition where white or grey patches appear in the hair due to a lack of melanin production in the affected hair follicles. This can create a striking contrast, reminiscent of characters like Sweeney Todd who famously sported similar grey patches.

While some people may need to dye their hair to achieve this distinctive look, individuals with natural poliosis are fortunate to have a feature that often attracts attention wherever they go. It can be intriguing to speculate on the strong genetic traits that may run in their family, contributing to this unique appearance.

Vitiligo is a condition where patches of skin, hair, and sometimes nails lose their pigmentation due to a melanin deficiency. This can create unique patterns on the skin, often resembling a mask-like appearance, which some might liken to a superhero’s mask.

Michael Jackson famously struggled with vitiligo, initially covering it with clothing and eventually bleaching his skin to even out the color as the condition progressed. His use of a glove was initially to cover the vitiligo patches on his hand.

Phalanges refer to the bones found in fingers and toes. In some cases, individuals may have an extra phalange in their thumb or other digits, though it may be small and not readily noticeable.

Interestingly, the term “phalange” might remind many of the fictional character Regina Phalange from the TV show Friends, used as a humorous alias by Phoebe Buffay. However, in anatomical terms, phalanges are critical components of the skeletal structure of our hands and feet.

Typically, when forming a fist, knuckles align next to each other. However, this individual’s hand displays a unique trait where the middle knuckles are lower than the others—a rare occurrence we’ve not encountered before. While it might appear as if he had punched a wall forcefully, this condition is actually due to having a double joint in that knuckle. It typically affects only one hand and generally does not cause significant issues aside from potential difficulties in making strong punches.