Which term describes a ridge that makes a sudden stop?

• A. Bifurcation
• B. Divergence
• C. Ending Ridge
• D. Short Ridge

Answer: (C)

In fingerprint minutiae, a ridge that ends abruptly is described as an ending ridge. This term specifically captures the idea of a ridge making a sudden stop rather than continuing or branching. A bifurcation is where a ridge splits into two branches, which is not a termination. Divergence isn’t a standard descriptor for this feature, and short ridge isn’t the recognized term for a terminated ridge. So the term ending ridge is the best fit for a ridge that makes a sudden stop.