Middle Finger
The middle finger is a popular salute used among health care professionals. Most commonly, it is a gift given by graduating residents to their now-former attendings.[1] The middle finger should never be given to a patient. However, in rare scenarios, the middle finger may be used to probe their orifices if the other fingers prove to short.
How Do I Locate My Middle Finger?
- If you look at your left hand with the dorsum facing you, it is the third finger counting in from the pinky or the thumb.
- If you look at your left hand with the palm facing you, it is the third finger counting in from the pinky or the thumb.
- If you look at your right hand with the dorsum facing you, it is the third finger counting in from the pinky or the thumb.
- If you look at your right hand with the palm facing you, it is the third finger counting in from the pinky or the thumb.
- Side note: this is based on the assumption you have five fingers on a hand. If not, then finding the middle finger becomes incredibly tricky.
How Can I Be Extra Sure?
Start with a plain film from the hands, then confirm with both a CT and MRI of bilateral hands. Afterwards, radiologists often recommend serial scans at 6 month intervals to ensure stability in the position of the middle finger.
Related Reading
- Finger Food
- Foot
- Foot-in-Mouth Disease
- Handwashing
- Manual Disimpaction
- Pedal Pulse
- Peter Edelstein
- Temper Tantrum
References
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Fun Stuff
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