Little finger

The little finger, or pinky finger, also known as the fifth digit, or pinkie, is the most ulnar and smallest finger of the human hand, opposite the thumb, and next to the ring finger.

For the fictional character from A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones, see Petyr Baelish.
Little finger
Human little finger
Details
ArteryProper palmar digital arteries,
dorsal digital arteries
VeinPalmar digital veins,
dorsal digital veins
NerveDorsal digital nerves of ulnar nerve
Lymphsupratrochlear
Identifiers
Latindigitus minimus manus,
digitus quintus manus,
digitus V manus
TAA01.1.00.057
FMA24949
Anatomical terminology

Etymology

The word "pinky" is derived from the Dutch word pink, meaning "little finger".

The earliest recorded use of the term "pinkie" is from Scotland in 1808.[1] The term (sometimes spelled "pinky") is common in Scottish English[2] and American English,[3] and is sometimes used in wider British English, outside of Scotland.[4][5]

Muscles

There are 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 profundus
  • Two extrinsic extensors:
  • Two intrinsic hand muscles:

Note: the dorsal interossei of the hand muscles do not have an attachment to the fifth digit

Cultural significance

Gestures
Pinky promise

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.[6]

Among members of the Japanese yakuza (gangsters), the penalty for various offenses is removal of parts of the little finger (known as yubitsume).[7]

It is a common misconception that some people 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,[8][9] 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 fingers.[10]

Rings
Signet ring (little finger) and wedding ring (ring finger) on a left hand.

The signet ring is traditionally worn on the little finger of a gentleman's left hand, a practice still common especially in the United Kingdom, Australia, 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 fingers, 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 pinky 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 who belong to the Order of the Engineer[11] and have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer.[12]

See also
  • Fifth metacarpal bone, the bone in the hand proximal to the little finger
  • Pinky ring, a ring worn on the little finger
  • Pinky swear, a type of oath involving the little finger
  • Red string of fate, a Japanese belief that soulmates are bound by a string attached to the little finger
  • Yubitsume, a Japanese ritual of apology by amputation of the little finger

References
  1. "Pinkie". World Wide Words. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  2. "Scots word of the season: pinkie". Association for Scottish Literary Studies. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  3. "Little Finger". Cambridge English Dictionary. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  4. Arthurs, Deborah; Gladwell, Hattie (21 January 2016). "Has your smartphone given you 'smartphone pinky'?". Metro. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  5. Barrie, Joshua (15 February 2018). "Woman cuts off finger, names it 'Wiggles' and wears it as pendant necklace". The Mirror. Retrieved 6 April 2020. A woman cut off half her pinky finger and now wears it as a pendant around her neck.
  6. Roud, Steve. The Lore of the Playground. Random House. 2010.
  7. Hill, Peter B. E.: "The Japanese Mafia: Yakuza, law, and the state", p. 75. Oxford Univ. Press, 2003
  8. "Tea Etiquette". Tea Laden. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  9. "Etiquette and History of Afternoon Tea". An Afternoon to Remember. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  10. "Raised pinky fingers, scone slicing and other tea faux pas". Clise Etiquette. 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  11. Engineer’s Ring, Order-of-the-engineer.org
  12. Obligation of an Engineer
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