The ''first finger'' is an ambiguous term in the English language due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. It might refer to either the

thumb The thumb is the first digit of the hand, next to the index finger. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position (where the palm is facing to the front), the thumb is the outermost digit. The Medical Latin English noun for thumb ...

or the

index finger The index finger (also referred to as forefinger, first finger, second finger, pointer finger, trigger finger, digitus secundus, digitus II, and many other terms) is the second digit of a human hand. It is located between the thumb and the m ...

, depending on the context. Consequently, also the terms ''second finger'', ''third finger'' and ''fourth finger'' depend on the numbering system used in the context. Instead, the ''fifth finger'' will exclusively refer to the pinky, (also called the ''little'' finger), since the term is only used in the five-finger system.

Finger numbering systems

The

ordinal number In set theory, an ordinal number, or ordinal, is a generalization of ordinal numerals (first, second, th, etc.) aimed to extend enumeration to infinite sets. A finite set can be enumerated by successively labeling each element with the leas ...

s of the fingers of the human hand are numbered ambiguously in the English language. This is due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. For instance, the first finger might refer to either the thumb or the index finger, depending on the context.

Five-finger system

In the ''five-finger system'', the ''first finger'' refers to the thumb (or first digit); usually this system is used in a medical context, or in a musical context when referring to playing keyboard instruments, such as the piano or accordion. Consequently, ''second finger'' under this system will refer to the index finger (or second digit), ''third finger'' refers to the middle finger (or third digit), ''fourth finger'' refers to the

ring finger The ring finger, third finger, fourth finger, leech finger, or annulary is the fourth digit of the human hand, located between the middle finger and the little finger. Sometimes the term ring finger only refers to the fourth digit of a left-ha ...

(or fourth digit) and ''fifth finger'' refers to the

pinky finger 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' ...

(or fifth digit).

Four-finger system

Here, in the ''four-finger system'', as well as in common English, the ''first finger'' refers to the index finger (the finger next to the

). This designation carries over in a musical context when referencing the playing of

stringed instruments In musical instrument classification, string instruments, or chordophones, are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when a performer strums, plucks, strikes or sounds the strings in varying manners. Musicians play som ...

(such as the guitar),

woodwind instruments Woodwind instruments are a family of musical instruments within the greater category of wind instruments. Common examples include flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone. There are two main types of woodwind instruments: flutes and Ree ...

(such as flutes, pipes, or piccolos), and

brass instruments A brass instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips. The term ''labrosone'', from Latin elements meaning "lip" and "sound", ...

(such as horns). Consequently, ''second finger'' under this system will refer to the middle finger, ''third finger'' refers to the ring finger, ''fourth finger'' refers to the pinky (or little) finger.

References

{{Reflist Fingers

Finger numbering systems

Five-finger system

Four-finger system

See also

References