HWN Suggests

How many muscles do humans have in their fingers?

Fingers do not contain muscles (other than arrector pili). The muscles that move the finger joints are in the palm and forearm. The long tendons that deliver motion from the forearm muscles may be observed to move under the skin at the wrist and on the back of the hand.

In our bodies, tendons generally connect muscle to bone, and ligaments generally connect bone to bone. The tendons that control the bones in our helpful little protrusions are attached to 17 muscles in the palm of your hand and 18 in your forearm- none of which are in your fingers. The muscles that close your hand are known as flexors, and the ones that open your hand are known as extensors. Some are small and help…

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Articles of Interest

A Digital Post: Fingers and Thumbs

Did you know that one of the genes responsible for the formation of human digits (SHH) is actually named for Sonic the Hedgehog? Yes, the video game character, and no, I’m not kidding. Scientists are just that awesome. Basically, when a tiny human is developing in the womb, their limbs start out as buds that look a whole lot like fins. The sonic hedgehog gene codes for a protein (SHH) that helps the limb form its individual digits as it develops. Variations in the expression of SHH can result in having extra fingers (polydactyly) or having fewer than five fingers (oligodactyly).

A systematic reappraisal of the fifth finger in Renaissance paintings

A closer look at the anatomical details revealed a particular fashion in depicting the fifth finger of the hand in nine major Italian Renaissance artists

Description of the Anatomy of a Human Finger

The anatomy of the human hand closely resembles other primates and, to a lesser degree, other mammals. A distinguishing characteristic is the thumb, but the other fingers are very similar anatomically. Together they are made from similar bones, joints, nerves, skin and other important tissue.

Finger Injuries and Disorders

Injuries that result in fractures (broken bones), ruptured ligaments and dislocations Osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis. It can also cause deformity. Tendinitis - irritation of the tendons Dupuytren's contracture - a hereditary thickening of the tough tissue that lies just below the skin of your palm. It causes the fingers to stiffen and bend. Trigger finger - an irritation of the sheath that surrounds the flexor tendons. It can cause the tendon to catch and release like a trigger.

Finger Joints

The DIP joint in the finger is located at the tip of the finger, just before the finger nail starts. Common problems at this joint include Mallet Finger, Jersey Finger, arthritis, mucous cysts, and fractures. The index finger is more likely to develop arthritis from the pinch force that occurs throughout one’s life.

Finger Tips - Tendons and Ligaments

Little fingers get everywhere, and injuries are common. The mechanism of injury tends to be age-dependent with the under-fives magnetically drawn to door hinges and the over-fives more likely to do some damage during higher impact sport.

Is the thumb a fifth finger? A study of digit interaction during force production tasks

Typical human hand activities, such as prehension, involve the coordination of the fingers and the thumb. Although in some languages, including the Icelandic and Russian, the thumb is referred to as “the big finger”, in other languages, including the English, it is considered as a special digit, a non-finger.

Ligaments of the Fingers

Several ligaments are involved...

What Is the History of the Middle Finger?

The 'middle finger salute' did not derive from the defiant gestures of English archers whose fingers had been severed at the Battle of Agincourt.

When did the middle finger become offensive?

The middle finger, extended with the other fingers held beneath the thumb, is thus documented to have expressed insult and belittlement for more than two millennia.