Finger clubbing
Finger Clubbing
Finger clubbing, also known as Hippocratic fingers or digital clubbing, is a physical condition characterized by bulbous enlargement of the ends of one or more fingers or toes.
Pronunciation
Finger clubbing: /ˈfɪŋɡər ˈklʌbɪŋ/
Etymology
The term "clubbing" is derived from the Old Norse word "klubba", meaning "to swell". The term "Hippocratic fingers" is named after the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who was one of the first to document the condition.
Definition
Finger clubbing typically involves changes in the areas under and around the nails and can occur in a number of diseases, most commonly in heart and lung diseases. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be due to the release of certain chemicals that lead to the changes seen in the nails and fingers.
Symptoms
The main symptom of finger clubbing is a change in the angle between the nail and the nail bed, which becomes more convex. Other symptoms may include softening of the nail bed, increased curvature of the nail, and enlargement of the fingertips.
Related Terms
- Schamroth's window test: A test used to identify finger clubbing.
- Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: A medical condition that often presents with clubbing.
- Cyanosis: A symptom that can accompany finger clubbing in certain conditions.
Causes
Finger clubbing can be caused by a number of underlying conditions, including lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, and heart disease. It can also occur in some gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
Treatment
Treatment of finger clubbing involves addressing the underlying condition. There is no specific treatment for the clubbing itself.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Finger clubbing
- Wikipedia's article - Finger clubbing
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski