Index finger

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Index finger
Human hand with index finger extended
Artery	radial artery of index finger
Dorlands/Elsevier	i_06/12448665

The second digit of a human hand is also referred to as the index finger, pointer finger, forefinger, trigger finger, digitus secundus, or digitus II.

Fingers

Thumb  • Index  • Middle  • Ring  • Little

It is located between the first and third digits - that is, between the thumb and the middle finger. It is usually the most dextrous and sensitive finger of the hand, though not the longest. A lone index finger often is used to represent the number 1, or when held up or moved side to side (finger-wagging), it can be an admonitory gesture. With the hand held palm out and the thumb and middle fingers touching, it represents the letter d in the American Sign Language alphabet. In sports, it can also represent victory, as some championship-winning teams raise their index finger while posing for a championship team photo.

Studies have also found that a smaller index finger compared with the ring finger indicates a better athlete.^[1] Men are 2.5 times more likely than women to have an index finger which is shorter than their ring finger, and such ratios correlate with an increased likelihood of osteoarthiritis, especially for women with such ratios.^[2]

Contents 1 Gestures 2 See also 3 Additional images 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Gestures

As mentioned above, the forefinger can be used for pointing. However, this gesture is considered rude in some countries (Ukraine, for instance), and other gestures are used instead.

During the Bosnian war, Serbo-Bosnian troops raised three fingers in a sign of victory, Bosnian Croats raised the two-finger V-sign and Muslims (Bosniaks) raised one (after the strict monotheism of Islam).

[edit] See also

• Extensor indicis proprius
• Index (typography)

[edit] Additional images

Sistine Chapel, Detail, Michelangelo	Isenheim Altarpiece, Detail: Hl. John the Baptist	John the Baptist, Leonardo da Vinci	The School of Athens, Detail, Raphael
Lateral X-ray of left finger, showing proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation and fracture of the base of the middle phalanx

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• index+finger at eMedicine Dictionary

v • d • e Human anatomical features Head Skull · Forehead · Eye · Ear · Nose · Mouth · Tongue · Teeth · Jaw · Face · Cheek · Chin Neck Throat · Adam's apple Torso Shoulders · Spine · Breast (Tail of Spence) · Chest · Ribcage · Abdomen · Navel Sex organs (Clitoris · Vagina · Penis · Scrotum · Testicle) – Hip · Anus · Buttocks Limbs Arm · Elbow · Forearm · Wrist · Hand · Finger (Thumb · Index · Middle · Ring · Little) · Leg · Lap · Thigh · Knee · Calf · Heel · Ankle · Foot · Toe (Hallux) Skin Hair