PHALANGES OF HAND
Phalanges are the small elongated bones of the fingers. Each finger has three phalanges except thumb, which has only two. Each phalanx is connected to the other at the knuckle.
Phalanges are classified as distal, middle, and proximal phalanges.
The distal phalanx is the bone at the end of the fingers. These shape the nails of the human hand.
The proximal phalanges connect to the bones of palm called metacarpals.
The middle phalanx lies in between the distal and proximal phalanx. The thumb does not have a middle phalanx.
Published December 21, 2021
Function
The phalanges provide dexterity to the hand. They help to perform skillful movements of the hand. Skills like transferring an object from one hand to the other and finer movements involved in tasks like knitting, typing or playing an instrument are aided by these bones.
Disease/ Injury/ Fracture
An injury to the phalanges occurs due to accidents or overuse.
Interesting fact
There are 28 phalanges in the hand. Together they look like a greek line of battle formation called phalanx; hence the name.
