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
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered appendage located at the end of the forearm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs. A few other vertebrates such as the koala (which has two opposable thumbs on each "h ...
, 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
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to ...
in 1808. The term (sometimes spelled "pinky") is common in
Scottish English
Scottish English ( gd, Beurla Albannach) is the set of varieties of the English language spoken in Scotland. The transregional, standardised variety is called Scottish Standard English or Standard Scottish English (SSE). Scottish Standa ...
and
American English
American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the most widely spoken language in the United States and in most circumstances ...
,
and is also used extensively in other Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand, Canada, and Australia.
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:
* 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)
* Two extrinsic flexors:
**
Flexor digitorum superficialis
Flexor digitorum superficialis (''flexor digitorum sublimis'') is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints.
It is in the anterior compartment of the forearm. It is sometimes considered to be the deepest p ...
**
Flexor digitorum profundus
The flexor digitorum profundus is a muscle in the forearm of humans that flexes the fingers (also known as digits). It is considered an extrinsic hand muscle because it acts on the hand while its muscle belly is located in the forearm.
Togeth ...
* Two extrinsic extensors:
**
Extensor digiti minimi muscle
The extensor digiti minimi (extensor digiti quinti proprius) is a slender muscle of the forearm
The forearm is the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. The term forearm is used in anatomy to distinguish it from the arm, ...
**
Extensor digitorum
* Two intrinsic hand muscles:
** Fourth
lumbrical muscle
** Third
Palmar interosseous muscle
''Note: the
dorsal interossei of the hand muscles do not have an attachment to the fifth digit''
Cultural significance
Gestures
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
A promise is a commitment by someone to do or not do something. As a noun ''promise'' means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something. As a verb it means to commit oneself by a promise to do or give. It can also mean a capacity ...
. Something similar is also seen in China and Korea, where people link their pinky fingers and then stamp their thumbs together to make a ''yaksok'' (promise).
Among members of the
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the n ...
ese ''
yakuza
, also known as , are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The Japanese police and media, by request of the police, call them , while the ''yakuza'' call themselves . The English equivalent for the ter ...
'' (gangsters), the penalty for various offenses is removal of parts of the little finger (known as ''
yubitsume
or ''otoshimae'' is a Japanese ritual to atone for offenses to another, a way to be punished or to show sincere apology and remorse to another, by means of amputating portions of one's own little finger. In modern times, it is primarily perfo ...
'').
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, 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.
The messaging application Teams from Microsoft 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
The
signet ring
A seal is a device for making an impression in wax, clay, paper, or some other medium, including an embossment on paper, and is also the impression thus made. The original purpose was to authenticate a document, or to prevent interference with a ...
is traditionally worn on the little finger of a gentleman's left hand, a practice still common especially in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
, 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 United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
, the
Engineer's Ring
The Engineer's Ring is a ring worn by members of the United States Order of the Engineer, a fellowship of engineers who must be a certified Professional Engineer or graduated from an accredited engineering program (or be within one academic year ...
is a
stainless steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron that is resistant to rusting and corrosion. It contains at least 11% chromium and may contain elements such as carbon, other nonmetals and metals to obtain other desired properties. Stainless steel's r ...
ring worn on the fifth digit of the working hand by engineers who belong to the
Order of the Engineer and have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer.
Utility
The little finger is often used as a support when
smartphone
A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whi ...
users type one-handed. The little finger is positioned underneath the phone, allowing it to be propped with the three middle fingers, and the user to type with their thumb.
Some users reported dents on their little finger and pain in the hand after prolonged use in this way, doctors referred to this as "iPhone pinky" or "smartphone pinky". The skin indentations were reported to be nothing of alarm, as they disappeared on their own after a short while without cell phone use.
See also
*
Fifth metacarpal bone, the bone in the hand proximal to the little finger
*
Pinky ring
A pinky ring is any ring worn on the pinky, or little finger, of either hand. A pinky ring may have special significance conferred by the wearer's office or professional association, but may also may be worn purely for fashion. Signet rings, ...
, a ring worn on the little finger
*
Red string of fate, a Japanese belief that soulmates are bound by a string attached to the little finger
References
{{Authority control
Fingers
Human anatomy