Len C. Sperling’s research while affiliated with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and other places

Abnormally placed or absent scalp whorls have been associated with abnormal brain development. Defects of bony cranial development are not associated with such patterns. Single and double parietal whorls are examples of normal scalp patterns. Frontal patterns are variable, and scalp whorls associated with a cowlick can be seen at any location along the frontal hair line. A case of triple parietal scalp whorls and a case of a right temporal scalp whorl, both associated with normal development, are described. Current theories of hair whorl development, as well as normal and abnormal scalp whorl patterns, also are discussed.