Index finger 1094348 225064847 2008-07-11T18:40:58Z 68.184.103.254 {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = Index finger | Latin = | GraySubject = | GrayPage = | Image = Index_finger.JPG | Caption = Human hand with index finger extended | Image2 = | Caption2 = | Precursor = | System = | Artery = [[radial artery of index finger]]| Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = i_06 | DorlandsSuf = 12448665 | }}{{Template:Fingers}} 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'''. 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 (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.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20490243-13762,00.html News.com.au report]</ref> 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.<ref>Arthritis & Rheumatism. news release, Jan. 2, 2008 </ref> == 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]], [[Serbia|Serbo-Bosnian]] troops raised [[Three-finger salute (Serbian)|three fingers]] in a sign of victory, [[Bosnian Croat]]s raised the two-finger [[V-sign]] and [[Muslims by nationality|Muslims]] ([[Bosniaks]]) raised one (after the [[tawhid|strict monotheism of Islam]]). ==See also== * [[Extensor indicis proprius]] * [[Index (typography)]] ==Additional images== <center><gallery> Image:Creation of Adam (Michelangelo) Detail.jpg|''[[Sistine Chapel]]'', Detail, [[Michelangelo]] Image:Mathis Gothart Grünewald 024.jpg|[[Isenheim Altarpiece]], Detail: Hl. [[John the Baptist]] Image:Jeanbaptiste.jpg|''[[John the Baptist]]'', [[Leonardo da Vinci]] Image:Plato-raphael.jpg|''[[The School of Athens]]'', Detail, [[Raphael]] Image:Dislocated finger x-ray.JPG|Lateral X-ray of left finger, showing proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation and fracture of the base of the middle phalanx </gallery></center> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{eMedicineDictionary|index+finger}} {{wiktionary|forefinger}} {{Human anatomical features}} [[Category:Gestures]] [[Category:Fingers]] [[Category:Unicode]] [[ca:Índex (dit)]] [[de:Zeigefinger]] [[dv:ޝަހާދަތް އިގިލި]] [[es:Dedo índice]] [[eo:Montrofingro]] [[fr:Index (anatomie)]] [[gd:Sgealbag]] [[it:Indice (dito)]] [[sw:Kidole cha shahada]] [[la:Index (anatomia)]] [[nl:Wijsvinger]] [[ja:人差し指]] [[no:Pekefinger]] [[pag:Tamuro]] [[pl:Palec wskaziciel]] [[ru:Указательный палец]] [[fi:Etusormi]] [[sv:Pekfinger]] [[te:చూపుడువేలు]] [[tr:İşaret parmağı]] [[zh:食指]]