Hand Facts

“Man alone has a hand. He uses it as a tool, as a symbol, and as a weapon. A whole literature of legend, folklore, superstition, and myth has been built up around the human hand. As an organ of performance, it serves as eyes for the blind, the mute talk with it, and it has become a symbol of salutation, supplication, and condemnation.” – The Anthropology and Social Significance of the Human Hand, Ethel J. Alpenfels, D.Sc.

We use our hands daily and we probably take them for granted.  Here are a few fun and interesting facts about your hands that may make you appreciate them a little more.

1. According to Wikipedia, there are 34 muscles that move the fingers and thumb: 17 in the palm of the hand and 18 in the forearm. There are 3 major nerves: radial, median and ulnar nerves.
2. When you think about the movements that your fingers are capable of it might be hard to believe that your fingers have no muscles. The muscles that move the fingers are located in the palm and forearm.
3. Feel like you have to clip your fingers nails too often? You probably do, because they grow about 4 times faster than you toenails.  Interestingly enough, the nail on your middle finger grows the fastest.

4. What do hormones have to do with fingers? The more testosterone you were exposed to in your mother’s womb, the longer your ring finger will compared to the  index finger.  Reference.

5. Studies show that children who have longer fingers are better at math.

6. Ever wonder why you wear your wedding ring on your left ring finger? Well, that’s because the vein in that finger, the vena amoris (or the vein of love) was once believed to be connected directly to your heart.

7. According to the Golden Book of Records, a man named Lui Hua has the largest hands in the entire world. His index finger is nearly a foot long and his left thumb is more than ten inches.  He has a rare condition known as macrodactyly.

We hope you enjoyed learning about these interesting hand facts.  If your hands have pain, discomfort and are preventing you from doing the things you love, please make an appointment to see Dr. Cohen.  He specializes in treating disorders of the hands, wrists, forearms and elbows.

(note: While posts on this blog site are meant to be informative and thought provoking, they are not intended to be a substitute for proper medical advice or diagnosis of a possible medical condition.  Please contact our offices if you feel you have a medical condition concerning your hand, wrist, or elbow)