grasping

Grasping refers to the act of seizing, holding, and manipulating objects with the hand and fingers. It is a basic motor function essential for interaction with the physical world and is also used metaphorically to describe understanding or comprehension.

In humans, grasping involves reaching toward an object, preparing finger positions, forming a grip, and lifting or manipulating the object. Two broad grip types are recognized: power grip, which uses the whole hand with the thumb opposing the fingers; and precision grip, which uses the thumb and fingertips for fine control. Grasp shapes commonly described include cylindrical, spherical, disk, and hook configurations.

Control of grasping relies on a network of brain regions, including the primary motor cortex, premotor and parietal cortices, and the cerebellum. Sensory feedback from skin receptors, tendons, and muscles informs grip force and finger placement, enabling smooth coordination and adjustment during object manipulation.

Developmentally, infants progress from reflexive grasping to voluntary reaching and deliberate grasp, with the pincer grasp emerging around the end of the first year. In adults, aging and neurological conditions, such as stroke or peripheral neuropathy, can impair grasp quality and grip strength, affecting daily function.

Grasping is a focus in rehabilitation and robotics. Therapy aims to restore strength and dexterity after injury, while robotic and prosthetic devices seek to reproduce human-like grasp with sensors and actuators. Assessment tools such as grip-strength measurements and dexterity tests quantify functional grasp capacity. The term grasp can also denote cognitive or linguistic understanding, but this article concentrates on the physical action.