Why aren’t all our fingers as dexterous as our index or middle finger?
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In theory all fingers can be very dexterous. It’s just a matter of usage.
It’s partially a cultural thing. Like signing the number 3. A German who uses thumb, index and middle finger might have a hard time using index, middle and ring finger instead like the British.
Because they do not get used as much. If you train your other fingers you can achieve nearly the same dexterity. I say nearly because your ring and pinky don’t necessarily have the same range of motion. Rolling a coin across your knuckles will show you that you can improve dexterity, same with finger tutting (intricate finger movements usually associated with dance) or gloving (gloves with led finger tips). People can do some wildly intricate moves with all their fingers.
they’re not as dextrous…YET. our hands evolved from zero-dexterity flippers/fins, then dexterity of fingers have been gradually selected for as things like the ability to grip a spear because important selection traits. they get more and more dextrous with each passing generation.
Just a result of natural selection. If you have a couple of MOST dexterous fingers already, how many do you need?
Reason two is that you thumb and forefinger are uniquely paired to work together. Your thumb is farther from, and a different angle to, your third finger or pinky, say, and may never have the strength in certain movements even when used a lot. There are nerve and reflex loops that help process manual dexterity quickly, and those are physiologically more robust in the thumb and forefinger, but the whole hand and arm have them.
Third is, as many have already said, they get the most practice. You grow up using them, because the apparatus already exists, and they et best at tasks. When people lose fingers, like a forefinger, the middle finger will never be QUITE as good, but can quickly adapt to do 90% of tasks nearly or just as well, 9% adequately, and 1% may require further accommodation, like using the other hand.
Fifth, your hand is an extremely flexible, but fine-tuned instrument,; so tactile, so coordinated, so strong, and so thoughtless during use, you are probably not thinking about the specialized tasks, and coordination the rest of your fingers are better at than the first two. There is a lot going on. Your pinky and ring finger are stronger in certain gripping and swinging motions, climbing/hanging grips at certain angles, etc. The reconstructive surgeon that did my hand (pretty minor injury) said that relearning to write without a forefinger is a lot easier than relearning to drive framing nails without a pinky. Maybe hyperbole, but made sense to me.
They are the foundation or, the muscle if you will. Not precise, but sturdy. I would imagine their lack of dexterity is the exact reason they are able to be so supportive.
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