A fist is the shape of a hand when the fingers are bent inward against the palm and held there tightly. To make or clench a fist is to fold the fingers tightly into the center of the palm and then to clamp the thumb over the middle

phalanges The phalanges (: phalanx ) are digit (anatomy), digital bones in the hands and foot, feet of most vertebrates. In primates, the Thumb, thumbs and Hallux, big toes have two phalanges while the other Digit (anatomy), digits have three phalanges. ...

; in contrast to this "closed" fist, one keeps the fist "open" by holding the thumb against the side of the index finger. One uses the closed fist to punch the lower phalanges against a surface, or to pound with the little-finger side of the hand's heel; one uses the open fist to knock with the middle knuckle of the middle finger. Speakers of some English dialects may use the word "nieve" or "neef" to refer to a fist.

Physiology and neurology

Making a fist is virtually unknown among other primates. This is because while "most primate hands are long of palm and finger ndshort of thumb", the proportions are the opposite for humans. At least one study has claimed that the clenching of one's fist can be used to recall information. Some studies have shown that making fists can help humans to cope with stress or anxiety because the mind gets preoccupied with the tightening of the muscle to focus on the issue at hand.

Boxing

Formation of a fist for the purpose of punching is the most basic knowledge taught in the sport of boxing. Fists are taught in martial arts like karate, kung fu, and taekwondo for the process of punching and striking. Fight 100% says "more than 90% of the people actually don't know how to make a fist correctly", and adds that correct formation means the user "won't break

heir Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. Offi ...

hand", "won't strain their wrist", will "be able to launch very powerful punches", and "be able to knock someone out in one punch". Improper formation of the fist while punching or striking an object can cause bruising and broken small bones in the hand known as ''

Boxer's fracture A boxer's fracture is the break of the fifth metacarpal bone of the hand near the knuckle. Occasionally, it is used to refer to fractures of the fourth metacarpal as well. Symptoms include pain and a depressed knuckle. Classically, it occurs a ...

.'' Boxer's Fracture occurs when metacarpals or small bones in the hand break on the side of the pinky and ring finger. The name derives from the fact that such injuries are most common in boxers and practitioners of other fighting arts.

Other uses

The

raised fist The raised fist, or the clenched fist, is a long-standing image of mixed meaning, often a symbol of solidarity, especially with a political movement. It is a common symbol representing a wide range of political ideologies, most notably socialism, ...

is also a symbol of rebellion, militance, resistance and unity. Various phenomena include the term "fist" in their name, such as the sexual act of

fisting Fisting—also known as fist fucking (FF) and handballing—is a sexual activity that involves inserting one or more hands into the rectum (anal fisting) or the vagina (vaginal fisting). Fisting may be performed on oneself (self-fisting) or perf ...

and the

fist bump A fist bump, also known as a bro fist, power five, a spud, or also commonly known as a safe is a gesture similar in meaning to a handshake or high five. A fist bump can also be a symbol of giving respect or approval, as well as companionship ...

greeting. Pounding one's fist on the table is often done when frustrated. In 1983,

Don Francis Donald Pinkston Francis (born October 24, 1942) is an American physician and epidemiologist who worked on the Ebola outbreak in Africa in the late 1970s, and as an HIV/AIDS researcher. He retired from the U.S. Public Health Service in 1992, after ...

was at a meeting with the

CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and is headquartered in Atlanta, ...

to discuss about the transmission of AIDS through blood transfusions. When his colleagues ignored the warnings, Don Francis pounded his fist on the table demanding to know, how many deaths did we need before we acted?

References

External links

*{{Commons category-inline, Fists Hand gestures Punches (combat)