Organisations these days are struggling to understand and implement the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) agenda.
Interesting,
when all that is needed is to look closely at one’s hands. After all, our
fingers are excellent examples to know how to grasp the DEI story!
Be
it the thumb or the little pinkie, or the digits in-between, there cannot be a
more diverse set of appendages in the human body that work so closely and
harmoniously with each other to help us.
Together
with the phalanges or the extensive bone framework beneath the fingers, the
fingers work in perfect conjunction, complementing each other and helping in
vital human endeavors.
The
Thumb
Also
known as the pollex or digitus primus manus, the thumb is anatomically
different from the hand’s other four digits. Many consider it is not a finger. These
differences allow the thumb to move and function differently from the rest of
the fingers. The thumb’s primary function is to either work with or against the
other fingers to manipulate objects and perform actions such as pinching or
grasping.
The
little finger
Also
known as the digiti minimi, the little finger is the tiniest and usually
considered the weakest. It plays a vital
role in hand dexterity, which is the ability to move the fingers with precision
and accuracy. It helps to stabilize the hand and provide a secure base from
which the other fingers can move. Some medical experts opine
that you’d lose 50 percent of your hand strength if you lose your pinkie;
while the index and middle fingers function with the
thumb in pinching and grabbing (think of zipping zippers or buttoning buttons),
the pinkie teams up with the ring finger to provide power.
The
Index Finger
The
index finger or the digitus Secundus (also referred to as forefinger, index
finger, pointer finger, trigger finger) is usually the most dexterous and
sensitive finger of the hand. The index finger’s importance comes because of
its its ability to abduct, and its closeness to the thumb. It has a major role
in precision pinch and directional grip.
The
middle finger
The
middle finger or digitus medius is located between the index finger and the
ring finger. It is usually the longest finger. It is a source of strength for
grabbing and holding on. The middle finger is the longest and strongest finger
in the human hand. It plays an important role in many hand activities, such as Power
grip used to stably lift and move heavy objects, Pinching used (in conjunction
with the thumb) to hold small objects, and in several Fine motor skills such as
writing, typing, and playing musical instruments. The middle finger helps to
provide precision and dexterity for these tasks.
The
Ring Finger
The
ring finger is called digitus medicinalis, the fourth digit, digitus annularis,
digitus quartus. Often thought to have only an ornamentation purpose, as its
name suggests, the ring finger supported by the little finger provides power
grip prehension and power to the hand.
What
better illustration can we get for understanding how DEI is beneficial!
