Hand of benediction

The hand of benediction, also known as benediction sign or preacher's hand, has been said to occur as a result of prolonged compression or injury of the median nerve at the forearm or elbow.

[1] More recently it has been shown that the clinical appearance of a high median nerve palsy is different from the classical hand of benediction or preacher's hand posture pointing finger.

[2] The term "hand of benediction" has been used to refer to damage of the median nerve.

[citation needed] The middle finger is flexed because of the connection between the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons, which is called the Quadriga phenomenon.

[3][2] The term "hand of benediction" refers to the similarity to a sign commonly used in Catholicism, which is said to originate from Saint Peter.