Basic and Clinical Sciences (BCSE) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Clubbing is specifically characterized by the bulbous enlargement of the ends of fingers or toes. This condition occurs due to an increase in soft tissue beneath the nail bed, often as a response to chronic hypoxia or other underlying health issues, such as lung diseases (like lung cancer or cystic fibrosis) or cardiovascular disorders. The shape of the nails can change, becoming more rounded and convex.

Understanding the other choices helps in distinguishing the characteristic features of clubbing. For instance, the loss of sensation in fingers and toes is not associated with clubbing but may relate to neuropathic conditions. Thinning of the skin around nails could be indicative of other dermatological issues rather than clubbing itself, and formation of callouses on hands and feet typically arises from repetitive friction or pressure, unrelated to the development of clubbing. Thus, the distinguishing feature of clubbing is the noticeable enlargement at the tips of fingers or toes, confirming the correctness of the answer.