Hirschfeldia incana
Hippocratic Finger is a medical term referring to a specific physical symptom often associated with certain diseases. It is named after the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who is often referred to as the "Father of Medicine".
Definition[edit | edit source]
The Hippocratic Finger, also known as clubbing, is a deformity of the fingers and fingernails that is associated with a number of diseases, mostly of the heart and lungs. Clubbing is characterized by bulbous enlargement of the ends of the fingers, and often involves the flattening or even bulging of the nail beds.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Hippocratic Finger is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom that can indicate various underlying conditions. It is most commonly associated with lung disease, heart disease, liver disease, and gastrointestinal disease. Certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, can also cause clubbing.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of Hippocratic Finger is primarily based on physical examination. The doctor may observe the shape and condition of the patient's fingers and nails, and may also perform a Schamroth's window test, a simple procedure that can help to confirm the presence of clubbing.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for Hippocratic Finger involves addressing the underlying condition causing the symptom. This may involve medication, surgery, or other treatments depending on the specific disease. In some cases, the clubbing may reverse once the underlying condition is effectively treated.
History[edit | edit source]
The term "Hippocratic Finger" comes from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who is believed to have been the first to describe the symptom. Hippocrates is often referred to as the "Father of Medicine", and his observations and writings have had a profound influence on the development of medical science.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Hippocrates
- Clubbing
- Lung disease
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Schamroth's window test
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD