| zinc finger | <molecular biology> A specialised protein group that is characterised by a single zinc atom associated with DNA binding proteins. A loop of 12 amino acids contains either 2 cysteine and 2 histidine groups (a cysteine histidine zinc finger) or 4 cysteines (a cysteine cysteine zinc finger), that directly co ordinate a zinc atom. The loops (usually present in multiples) intercalate directly into the DNA helix. Originally identified in the RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIA. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| fifth finger | The little or fifth finger. Synonym: digitus minimus, digitus quintus, digitus auricularis, fifth finger. (05 Mar 2000) |
| finger | 1. One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit; especially, one of the four extermities of the hand, other than the thumb. 2. <mechanics> Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or restrain a motion. 3. The breadth of a finger, or the fourth part of the hand; a measure of nearly an inch; also, the length of finger, a measure in domestic use in the United States, of about four and a half inches or one eighth of a yard. "A piece of steel three fingers thick." (Bp. Wilkins) 4. Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a musical instrument. "She has a good finger." (Busby) Ear finger, the little finger. Finger alphabet. See Dactylology. Finger bar, the horizontal bar, carrying slotted spikes, or fingers, through which the vibratory knives of mowing and reaping machines play. Finger board, the part of a stringed instrument against which the fingers press the strings to vary the tone; the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc.; manual. Finger bowl or glass, a bowl or glass to hold water for rinsing the fingers at table. <botany> Finger flower, a sponge having finger-shaped lobes, or branches. Finger stall, a cover or shield for a finger. Finger steel, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's knife. To burn one's fingers. See Burn. To have a finger in, to be concerned in. To have at one's fingers' ends, to be thoroughly familiar with. Origin: AS. Finger; akin to D. Vinger, OS. & OHG. Fingar, G. Finger, Icel. Fingr, Sw. & Dan. Finger, Goth. Figgrs; of unknown origin; perh. Akin to E. Fang. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| finger agnosia | The inability to name or recognise individual fingers, of one's own or of other persons; most often caused by lesion of or near the angular gyrus of the dominant hemisphere. (05 Mar 2000) |
| finger injuries | General or unspecified injuries involving the fingers. (12 Dec 1998) |
| finger-nose test | A test of voluntary eye-motor coordination of the upper limb(s); the subject is asked to slowly touch the tip of his nose with his extended index finger; assesses cerebellar function. (05 Mar 2000) |
| finger percussion | Percussion in which a finger of one hand is used as a plessimeter and one of the other hand as a plessor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| finger phenomenon | A sign of organic hemiplegia; with the patient's elbow resting on a table, the patient's wrist is grasped by the examiner's hand, the thumb of which is used to exert pressure on the radial side of the patient's pisiform bone; if the hemiplegia is organic, some or all of the patient's fingers become extended and spread out in a fanlike form. Synonym: Gordon's sign. (05 Mar 2000) |
| finger protein | <protein> A protein which has areas with regularly spaced cysteine amino acids that appear to be involved in binding zinc atoms. A protein which has zinc fingers. (09 Oct 1997) |
| finger-thumb reflex | Opposition and adduction of the thumb with flexion at its metacarpophalangeal joint and extension at its interphalangeal joint, when firm passive flexion of the third, fourth, or fifth finger is made; the reflex is present normally but is absent in pyramidal lesions. Synonym: finger-thumb reflex, Mayer's reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| first finger | The first digit on the radial side of the hand. Synonym: digitus primus, pollex, first finger. Origin: A.S. Thuma (05 Mar 2000) |
| five-finger | 1. <botany> See Cinquefoil. 2. <zoology> A starfish with five rays, especially. Asterias rubens. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| lady's finger | 1. <botany> The kidney vetch. 2. A variety of small cake of about the dimensions of a finger. 3. A long, slender variety of the potato. 4. <zoology> One of the branchiae of the lobster. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fourth finger | Fourth finger. Synonym: digitus annularis, fourth finger. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lateral surface of finger | The lateral surface of a finger. Synonym: facies lateralis digiti manus. (05 Mar 2000) |