Whorls

A whorl is a term used to describe a circular or spiral arrangement of parts around a central axis. The concept can refer to a single coiled structure or to a set of components that encircle a point. Whorls are used across disciplines to describe radial, rather than linear, patterns of growth or organization.

In botany, a whorl denotes a group of three or more leaves, petals, or other organs growing at a single node around a stem. This differs from leaves arranged in opposite or alternate patterns. Whorled arrangements occur in many plants and can influence flowering and light capture, as well as the overall shape of the plant.

In shell morphology, a whorl is one complete turn of a spiral shell around its axis. A shell’s number and size of whorls contribute to its overall profile and are often used in species identification and age estimation. The opening of the shell, the aperture, follows after the last whorl.

In dermatology and forensic science, a whorl refers to a circular or spiral fingerprint pattern that includes a core and at least one delta. Whorls are one of the major pattern classes of fingerprints, alongside arches and loops. Subtypes include plain whorl, central pocket whorl, double loop, and accidental whorl. These patterns are used in personal identification and biometric analyses.