Phalanges Anatomy: 14 Bones Per Hand/Foot, Segments, Joints, and Common Injuries

Phalanges are the digital bones of hands and feet. Each hand/foot has 14 phalanges (total 56 in body).

Distribution

• Thumb / Hallux (great toe): 2 phalanges (proximal, distal).
• Digits 2–5 (fingers/toes): 3 phalanges each (proximal, middle, distal).

Joints

• MCP / MTP: Metacarpophalangeal / metatarsophalangeal (knuckles).
• PIP: Proximal interphalangeal (absent in thumb/hallux).
• DIP: Distal interphalangeal.

Function

• Hand: Precision grip (pad-to-pad), power grip, fine motor (writing, instruments).
• Foot: Toe-off propulsion, balance, terrain adaptation.

Common Injuries

• Fractures (tuft, shaft, base); mallet finger (extensor avulsion), jersey finger (FDP avulsion).
• Dislocations (PIP common).
• Osteoarthritis (DIP Heberden's nodes, PIP Bouchard's nodes).

Phalanges are critical for dexterity and bipedal gait.