Phalanges of the hand

Bone: Phalanges of the hand
Plan of ossification of the hand.
Bones of the left hand. Dorsal surface.
Latin	ossa digitorum manus, phalanges digitorum manus
Gray's	subject #56 230

The phalanges of the hand are commonly known as the finger bones. They are fourteen in number, three for each finger, and two for the thumb.

Each consists of a body and two extremities.

• The body tapers from above downward, is convex posteriorly, concave in front from above downward, flat from side to side; its sides are marked by rough areas which give attachment to the fibrous sheaths of the flexor tendons.

• The proximal extremities of the bones of the first row present oval, concave articular surfaces, broader from side to side than from front to back. The proximal extremity of each of the bones of the second and third rows presents a double concavity separated by a median ridge.

• The distal extremities are smaller than the proximal, and each ends in two condyles (knuckles) separated by a shallow groove; the articular surface extends farther on the volar than on the dorsal surface, a condition best marked in the bones of the first row.

The ungual phalanges, those most distal, are convex on their dorsal and flat on their volar surfaces; they are recognized by their small size, and by a roughened, elevated surface of a horseshoe form on the volar surface of the distal extremity of each which serves to support the sensitive pulp of the finger.

See also

• Interphalangeal articulations of the hand
• Phalanx bones

Additional images

• 

  Metacarpophalangeal articulation and articulations of digit. Volar aspect.

• 

  Metacarpophalangeal articulation and articulations of digit. Ulnar aspect.

External links

• lesson5palmofhand at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.