Little finger

Last updated
Little finger
Little finger.jpg
Human little finger
Details
Artery Proper palmar digital arteries,
dorsal digital arteries
Vein Palmar digital veins,
dorsal digital veins
Nerve Dorsal digital nerves of ulnar nerve
Lymph Supratrochlear
Identifiers
Latin digitus minimus manus,
digitus quintus manus,
digitus V manus
TA98 A01.1.00.057
TA2 155
FMA 24949
Anatomical terminology

The little finger or pinkie, also known as the baby finger, fifth digit, or pinky finger, is the most ulnar and smallest digit of the human hand, and next to the ring finger.

Contents

Etymology

The word "pinkie" is derived from the Dutch word pink, meaning "little finger".

The earliest recorded use of the term "pinkie" is from Scotland in 1808. [1] The term (sometimes spelled "pinky") is common in Scottish English [2] and American English, [3] and is also used extensively in other Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. [4] [5]

Nerves and muscles

There are nine muscles that control the fifth digit: Three in the hypothenar eminence, two extrinsic flexors, two extrinsic extensors, and two more intrinsic muscles:

Note: the dorsal interossei of the hand muscles do not have an attachment to the fifth digit

Cultural significance

Gestures

Pinky promise Pinky swear.JPG
Pinky promise

Among American children, a "pinky swear" or "pinky promise" is made when a person wraps one of their pinky fingers around another person's pinky and makes a promise. [6] Something similar is also seen in China and Korea, where people link their pinky fingers and then stamp their thumbs together to make a yaksok (promise).

Other gestures where the little finger is extended include the shaka sign and sign of the horns.

Among members of the Japanese yakuza (gangsters), the penalty for various offenses is removal of parts of the little finger (known as yubitsume ). [7]

It is a common joke that one should extend their little finger when drinking from a teacup in imitation of a passé upper-class tradition. This practice is generally deprecated by etiquette guides as a sign of snobbery amongst the socially inferior, [8] [9] with various cultural theories as to the origin of the practice including the idea that finger food should be eaten with only the first three digits. [10]

The messaging application Teams from Microsoft [11] has an emoji which is a representation of a closed hand with the little finger raised. The description is "Nature's call" which is a polite euphemism used when someone feels a need to urinate or defecate. [12]

Rings

Signet ring (little finger) and wedding ring (ring finger) on a left hand Signet and Wedding rings.jpg
Signet ring (little finger) and wedding ring (ring finger) on a left hand

The signet ring is traditionally worn on the little finger of a gentleman's left hand, a practice still common especially in the United Kingdom, Australia, and European cultures. A signet ring is considered part of the regalia of many European monarchies, and also of the Pope, with the ring always worn on the left little finger. In modern times the location of the signet ring has relaxed, with examples worn on various different digits, although little fingers still tend to be the most usual.

The Iron Ring is a symbolic ring worn by most Canadian engineers. The Ring is a symbol of both pride and humility for the engineering profession, and is always worn on the little finger of the dominant hand. In the United States, the Engineer's Ring is a stainless steel ring worn on the fifth digit of the working hand by engineers who belong to the Order of the Engineer [13] and have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer. [14]

Utility

The little finger is often used as a support when smartphone users type one-handed. The little finger is positioned underneath the phone, allowing it to be propped with the three middle fingers, and the user to type with their thumb. [15]

Some users reported dents on their little finger and pain in the hand after prolonged use in this way, doctors referred to this as "iPhone pinky" or "smartphone pinky". The skin indentations were reported to be nothing of alarm, as they disappeared on their own after a short while without cell phone use. [15] [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foot</span> Anatomical structure found in vertebrates

The foot is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws and/or nails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finger</span> Organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates

A finger is a prominent digit on the forelimbs of most tetrapod vertebrate animals, especially those with prehensile extremities such as humans and other primates. Most tetrapods have five digits (pentadactyly), and short digits are typically referred to as toes, while those that are notably elongated are called fingers. In humans, the fingers are flexibly articulated and opposable, serving as an important organ of tactile sensation and fine movements, which are crucial to the dexterity of the hands and the ability to grasp and manipulate objects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulnar nerve</span> Nerve which runs near the ulna bone

The ulnar nerve is a nerve that runs near the ulna, one of the two long bones in the forearm. The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint is in relation with the ulnar nerve. The nerve is the largest in the human body unprotected by muscle or bone, so injury is common. This nerve is directly connected to the little finger, and the adjacent half of the ring finger, innervating the palmar aspect of these fingers, including both front and back of the tips, perhaps as far back as the fingernail beds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper limb</span> Consists of the arm, forearm, and hand

The upper limbs or upper extremities are the forelimbs of an upright-postured tetrapod vertebrate, extending from the scapulae and clavicles down to and including the digits, including all the musculatures and ligaments involved with the shoulder, elbow, wrist and knuckle joints. In humans, each upper limb is divided into the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand, and is primarily used for climbing, lifting and manipulating objects. In anatomy, just as arm refers to the upper arm, leg refers to the lower leg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extensor digiti minimi muscle</span>

The extensor digiti minimi is a slender muscle of the forearm, placed on the ulnar side of the extensor digitorum communis, with which it is generally connected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extensor digitorum muscle</span> Forearm muscle which extends the four fingers

The extensor digitorum muscle is a muscle of the posterior forearm present in humans and other animals. It extends the medial four digits of the hand. Extensor digitorum is innervated by the posterior interosseous nerve, which is a branch of the radial nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palmar interossei muscles</span> Muscles between the metacarpals

In human anatomy, the palmar or volar interossei are four muscles, one on the thumb that is occasionally missing, and three small, unipennate, central muscles in the hand that lie between the metacarpal bones and are attached to the index, ring, and little fingers. They are smaller than the dorsal interossei of the hand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opponens digiti minimi muscle of hand</span> Muscle in the hypothenar compartment

The opponens digiti minimi is a muscle in the hand. It is of a triangular form, and placed immediately beneath the palmaris brevis, abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi brevis. It is one of the three hypothenar muscles that control the little finger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypothenar eminence</span> Group of three muscles of the palm

The hypothenar muscles are a group of three muscles of the palm that control the motion of the little finger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorsal interossei of the hand</span> Muscles between the metacarpals

In human anatomy, the dorsal interossei (DI) are four muscles in the back of the hand that act to abduct (spread) the index, middle, and ring fingers away from the hand's midline and assist in flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extension at the interphalangeal joints of the index, middle and ring fingers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abductor digiti minimi muscle of the hand</span> Muscle in the hypothenar compartment

In human anatomy, the abductor digiti minimi is a skeletal muscle situated on the ulnar border of the palm of the hand. It forms the ulnar border of the palm and its spindle-like shape defines the hypothenar eminence of the palm together with the skin, connective tissue, and fat surrounding it. Its main function is to pull the little finger away from the other fingers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle of hand</span> Muscle in the hypothenar compartment

The flexor digiti minimi brevis is a hypothenar muscle in the hand that flexes the little finger at the metacarpophalangeal joint. It lies lateral to the abductor digiti minimi when the hand is in anatomical position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sole (foot)</span> Bottom part of foot

In humans, the sole of the foot is anatomically referred to as the plantar aspect.

The posterior compartment of the forearm contains twelve muscles which primarily extend the wrist and digits. It is separated from the anterior compartment by the interosseous membrane between the radius and ulna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical spinal nerve 8</span> Spinal nerve of the cervical segment

The cervical spinal nerve 8 (C8) is a spinal nerve of the cervical segment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulnar claw</span> Deformity of the hand that develops due to ulnar nerve damage

An ulnar claw, also known as claw hand or ‘Spinster’s Claw’, is a deformity or an abnormal attitude of the hand that develops due to ulnar nerve damage causing paralysis of the lumbricals. A claw hand presents with a hyperextension at the metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion at the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the 4th and 5th fingers. The patients with this condition can make a full fist but when they extend their fingers, the hand posture is referred to as claw hand. The ring- and little finger can usually not fully extend at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP).

In human anatomy, a brevis muscle derives its name from the Latin brevis meaning "short", and can refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extrinsic extensor muscles of the hand</span>

The extrinsic extensor muscles of the hand are located in the back of the forearm and have long tendons connecting them to bones in the hand, where they exert their action. Extrinsic denotes their location outside the hand. Extensor denotes their action which is to extend, or open flat, joints in the hand. They include the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL), extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), extensor digitorum (ED), extensor digiti minimi (EDM), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), abductor pollicis longus (APL), extensor pollicis brevis (EPB), extensor pollicis longus (EPL), and extensor indicis (EI).

References

  1. "Pinkie". World Wide Words. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  2. "Scots word of the season: pinkie". Association for Scottish Literary Studies. May 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  3. "Little Finger". Cambridge English Dictionary. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  4. Arthurs, Deborah; Gladwell, Hattie (21 January 2016). "Has your smartphone given you 'smartphone pinky'?". Metro. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  5. Barrie, Joshua (15 February 2018). "Woman cuts off finger, names it 'Wiggles' and wears it as pendant necklace". The Mirror. Retrieved 6 April 2020. A woman cut off half her pinky finger and now wears it as a pendant around her neck.
  6. Roud, Steve. The Lore of the Playground. Random House. 2010.
  7. Hill, Peter B. E.: "The Japanese Mafia: Yakuza, law, and the state", p. 75. Oxford Univ. Press, 2003
  8. "Tea Etiquette". Tea Laden. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  9. "Etiquette and History of Afternoon Tea". An Afternoon to Remember. Archived from the original on Jul 29, 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  10. Arden (2014-11-21). "Raised pinky fingers, scone slicing and other tea faux pas". Clise Etiquette. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  11. "View all available emojis in Microsoft Teams (free)". Microsoft Support. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  12. Mark_N13 (8 Feb 2018). "Emoji". Microsoft Community. Archived from the original on Dec 15, 2023. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  13. "Engineer's Ring". Order Of The Engineer. Archived from the original on Feb 16, 2020.
  14. "Obligation". Order Of The Engineer. Archived from the original on Feb 14, 2020.
  15. 1 2 Schlitz, Heather (Nov 6, 2021). "People are sharing pictures of their dented 'smartphone pinky' after holding their phones, so asked doctors what the deal is". Business Insider. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  16. Chiu, Allyson (Oct 29, 2021). "How to avoid 'smartphone pinkie' and other pains and problems from being glued to your phone" . Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286. Archived from the original on Mar 6, 2023. Retrieved 2022-04-13.