| Index finger | |
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| Human hand with index finger extended | |
| Artery | radial artery of index finger |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | i_06/12448665 |
The second digit of a human hand is also referred to as the index finger, pointer finger, forefinger, 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. It may be used to point to things, for hunt and peck typing, to press an elevator button, or to tap on a window. A lone index finger often is used to represent the 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, 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.[1]
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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, Serbo-Bosnian troops raised three fingers in a sign of victory, Bosnian Croats raised the two-finger V-sign and Muslims (Bosniaks) raised one (after the strict monotheism of Islam).
Unicode
There are six index finger symbols in Unicode.
- Black left pointing index: U+261A ☚
- Black right pointing index: U+261B ☛
- White left pointing index: U+261C ☜
- White up pointing index: U+261D ☝
- White right pointing index: U+261E ☞
- White down pointing index: U+261F ☟
See also
Additional images
 Sistine Chapel, Detail, Michelangelo |
 Isenheim Altarpiece, Detail: Hl. John the Baptist |
 The School of Athens, Detail, Raphael |
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 Lateral X-ray of left finger, showing proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation and fracture of the base of the middle phalanx |
References
External links
- index+finger at eMedicine Dictionary
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