Little finger

Little finger
Human little finger
Details
ArteryProper palmar digital arteries,
dorsal digital arteries
VeinPalmar digital veins,
dorsal digital veins
NerveDorsal digital nerves of ulnar nerve
Lymphsupratrochlear
Identifiers
Latindigitus minimus manus,
digitus quintus manus,
digitus V manus
TA98A01.1.00.057
TA2155
FMA24949
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.

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 Canada and Australia.[4][5]

Nerves and muscles

The little finger is nearly impossible for most people to bend independently (without also bending the ring finger), due to the nerves for each digit being intertwined. There are also 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

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 Korea, where people link their pinky fingers and then stamp their thumbs together to make a yaksok (promise).

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 misconception that one should extend their little finger when drinking from a teacup. 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.

Rings

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[12] and have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer.[13]

See also

  • Fifth metacarpal bone, the bone in the hand proximal to the little finger
  • Pinky ring, a ring worn on the little finger
  • Pinky swear, a type of oath involving the little finger
  • Red string of fate, a Japanese belief that soulmates are bound by a string attached to the little finger
  • Yubitsume, a Japanese ritual of apology by amputation of the little finger

References

  1. ↑ "Pinkie". World Wide Words. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Scots word of the season: pinkie". Association for Scottish Literary Studies. 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. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  10. ↑ "Raised pinky fingers, scone slicing and other tea faux pas". Clise Etiquette. 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  11. ↑ "View all available emojis". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  12. ↑ Engineer’s Ring, Order-of-the-engineer.org
  13. ↑ Obligation of an Engineer
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