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| Little finger | |
|---|---|
| Latin | digitus minimus manus, digitus quintus, digitus V |
| Artery | ulnar artery |
| Nerve | ulnar nerve |
| Lymph | supratrochlear |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | d_18/12296668 |
| Fingers |
 |
The little finger, often called the pinky in American English and pinkie in Scottish English (from the Dutch word pink, meaning little finger), is the most ulnar and usually smallest finger of the human hand, opposite the thumb, next to the ring finger. It is also called the anti-thumb, the fifth finger, the baby finger, or the fourth finger colloquially.
Contents |
Muscles
There are four muscles that control the little finger, three of which comprise a group called the hypothenar eminence :
- hypothenar eminence
- Opponens digiti minimi muscle
- Abductor minimi digiti muscle (adduction from third palmar interossei)
- Flexor digiti minimi brevis (the "longus" is absent in most humans)
- Extensor digiti minimi muscle
Cultural significance
Gestures
A pinky swear or pinky promise is made when a person wraps one of their pinky fingers around the other person's pinky and makes a promise. Traditionally, it's considered binding, and the idea was originally that the person who breaks the promise must cut off his pinky finger. In a similar vein, among members of the Japanese yakuza (gangsters), the penalty for various offenses is removal of parts of the little finger (known as yubitsume).
Also in Japan, holding up a pinky while speaking of two people signifies that they are in a relationship. This pinky substitution is considered vulgar and old-fashioned, however, in some anime scenes is intentionally used to enhance its silliness
In India, holding up the pinky is a signal that the person has to urinate.
Similarly, in Indonesia, when a man points his pinky finger downward it is a signal that he needs to urinate.
In Turkey and in Colombia, it's tradition to link pinky fingers when two people are making a bet.
In Judaism, it is customary to extend one's arm and pinky finger to the Torah as it is lifted following its reading in the Synagogue.
In Israel, if one hands out his or her hand to another, with only the pinky lifted, it is a sign of reconciliation (called a "Sholem, usually used by younger children).
In Russia, when two people are French-kissing, it is customary to often link pinky fingers together.
In Belgium people hold up their pinky to order a beer.
In some Western cultures, the wriggling or bending of the little finger indicates a small penis, an insult to the person whom it is directed to.
In the United States, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hold up their pinky as an identifiying gesture with others.
Chapman University students hold up one pinky as a sign of professionalism.
Rings
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 finger of the working hand by engineers that belong to the Order of the Engineerand have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer.
Signet rings are often worn on the little finger.
Fingernails
In the Balkans, a solitary long fingernail on the pinky finger of a man signifies that he is single. In Bulgaria, a long fingernail on the pinky finger is considered "fashion" by working-class men.
The nail on this finger is also sometimes grown by recreational drug users to scoop powders for insufflation.
References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007) |
See also
Additional images
 Little finger |
 Bones of the left hand. Palmar surface. |
 Bones of the left hand. Dorsal surface. |
 The fifth metacarpal. (Left.) |
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Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 15 August 2008, at 17:40.
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