Which area of the hand is useful for grasping an organ or mass?

Which area of the hand is useful for grasping an organ or mass?

• A. Palmar surface and base of fingers.
• B. Fingers and thumb.
• C. Dorsal surface.
• D. Fingertips.

Answer: (B)

Grasping a mass or organ relies on a solid, opposing grip using both the fingers and the thumb. When the thumb opposes the fingers, you can wrap the object securely and control it with a strong, stable grip. The pads of the fingers and the thumb provide the best combination of contact and friction to hold and manipulate soft tissue without slipping. The dorsal surface of the hand is not padded and offers poor grip, while the fingertips alone are great for sensitivity and precise palpation but don’t provide as secure a grasp as using the fingers together with the thumb.

Grasping a mass or organ relies on a solid, opposing grip using both the fingers and the thumb. When the thumb opposes the fingers, you can wrap the object securely and control it with a strong, stable grip. The pads of the fingers and the thumb provide the best combination of contact and friction to hold and manipulate soft tissue without slipping. The dorsal surface of the hand is not padded and offers poor grip, while the fingertips alone are great for sensitivity and precise palpation but don’t provide as secure a grasp as using the fingers together with the thumb.