Pelvis & lower limb · Foot
Phalanges of the foot
There are fourteen phalanges in each foot: two in the great toe and three in each of the other four toes. They are much shorter than the phalanges of the hand, and they articulate with the metatarsals and with each other.
- Latin (TA)
- Phalanges pedis
- Type
- Long bones
- Side
- Paired — right and left
- Model size
- 8.6 cm longest
Showing a right set. Rotate it to inspect every surface; switch sides to practise siding.
3D model: Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0), derived from BodyParts3D © DBCLS (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). Adapted by PharmaWallah. Credits & licence
Landmarks
5 of 10 marked on the modelTap a landmark to find it on the bones and read what it is.
The expanded proximal end of a phalanx.
Where: At the back (proximal) end of each phalanx.
Why it matters: In a proximal phalanx it carries a concave facet for the metatarsal head; in a middle or distal phalanx, a facet with a central ridge for the head of the phalanx behind.
Related: Metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The narrow middle part of a phalanx.
Where: Between the base and the head; flat or slightly concave below and convex above.
Why it matters: The long flexor tendons pass along its plantar surface in their fibrous sheaths.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The distal end of a proximal or middle phalanx.
Where: At the front (distal) end of a proximal or middle phalanx.
Why it matters: Articulates with the base of the next phalanx at an interphalangeal joint; distal phalanges have no head.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A rough, flattened expansion at the free end of a distal phalanx.
Where: At the tip of each distal phalanx, under the nail bed and the toe pulp.
Why it matters: Supports the pulp of the toe and the nail; it identifies a distal phalanx.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The first and longest phalanx of each toe.
Where: In front of each metatarsal head.
Why it matters: Its concave base forms the metatarsophalangeal joint; the short muscles of the sole and the interossei act on it.
The short phalanx between the proximal and distal phalanges of the second to fifth toes.
Where: In the lateral four toes only.
Why it matters: Flexor digitorum brevis inserts into the sides of the middle phalanges.
Related: Flexor digitorum brevis.
The terminal phalanx of each toe, small and capped by a tuberosity.
Where: At the tip of each toe.
Why it matters: Flexor digitorum longus inserts into the bases of the distal phalanges of the lateral four toes; flexor hallucis longus into that of the great toe.
Related: Flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, extensor hallucis longus.
Viva: Which muscle inserts into the base of the distal phalanx of the great toe on its plantar side?
The two phalanges (proximal and distal) of the great toe (hallux).
Where: On the medial side of the foot, in front of the first metatarsal.
Why it matters: Much larger than the other phalanges; the great toe has only two phalanges, like the thumb.
Viva: How many phalanges does the great toe have?
Classification & region
Long bones (miniature long bones): each has a base, a shaft (body) and a head, even though they are very short.
- Proximal phalanges
- Five, one for each toe; the longest phalanges of the foot. Their bases articulate with the metatarsal heads.
- Middle phalanges
- Four, in the second to fifth toes only; very short. The great toe has no middle phalanx.
- Distal phalanges
- Five, one for each toe; small, with a flattened tuberosity at the tip under the nail.
- Phalanges of the great toe (hallux)
- Only two (proximal and distal), both much larger and stouter than those of the other toes.
Hold it in the anatomical position
- Base behind (proximal), head in front (distal).
- The plantar surface of the shaft is flat or slightly concave; the dorsal surface is convex.
- A distal phalanx is recognised by the rough tuberosity at its free end and the absence of a head.
Right or left? Side determination
- Identify which row the phalanx comes from: proximal phalanges have a concave base that fits a metatarsal head; middle and distal phalanges have a base with two shallow facets and a ridge between them.
- Identify a distal phalanx by the flattened tuberosity at its tip, and a phalanx of the great toe by its large size.
- Put the base behind and the flatter plantar surface downwards.
An isolated phalanx of the foot cannot be sided reliably: the bones are small and nearly symmetrical. In practicals they are identified by row (proximal, middle, distal) and the great toe's two phalanges are recognised by size, not sided.
Check yourself: switch the 3D model to “Left bone” and apply the same steps.
Articulations
- With the metatarsal heads at the Metatarsophalangeal joints — Concave bases of the proximal phalanges.
- With the neighbouring phalanges at the Interphalangeal joints (proximal and distal; one in the great toe) — Heads (trochleae) of proximal and middle phalanges, and the bases of middle and distal phalanges.
Muscle and ligament attachments
| Structure | Type | Where on the bone |
|---|---|---|
| Flexor hallucis longus | insertion | Plantar surface of the base of the distal phalanx of the great toe |
| Extensor hallucis longus | insertion | Dorsal surface of the base of the distal phalanx of the great toe |
| Extensor hallucis brevis | insertion | Dorsal surface of the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe |
| Flexor hallucis brevis | insertion | Both sides of the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe (through the sesamoid bones) |
| Abductor hallucis | insertion | Medial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe |
| Adductor hallucis | insertion | Lateral side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe |
| Flexor digitorum longus | insertion | Plantar surfaces of the bases of the distal phalanges of the lateral four toes |
| Flexor digitorum brevis | insertion | Sides of the middle phalanges of the lateral four toes |
| Extensor digitorum longus | insertion | Middle and distal phalanges of the lateral four toes, through the dorsal digital expansions |
| Abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi brevis | insertion | Lateral side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the fifth toe |
| Interossei | insertion | Bases of the proximal phalanges and the dorsal digital expansions |
| Lumbricals | insertion | Medial sides of the dorsal digital expansions of the lateral four toes |
Functions
- Give the toes their framework, so they can grip the ground and help balance.
- The great toe takes a large share of the push-off force at the end of the stance phase of walking.
- Give attachment to the long and short flexors and extensors of the toes.
Clinical & practical relevance
- Fractures of the toe phalanges are common after stubbing the toe or dropping a heavy object on the foot.
- Hallux valgus (bunion) is a lateral deviation of the great toe at the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
- Gout characteristically affects the first metatarsophalangeal joint, at the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe.
- Toe deformities such as hammer toe and claw toe are fixed abnormal postures at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
Identification tips
- Same plan as the hand: 2 phalanges in the first digit, 3 in the others — 14 in all.
- 'Longus goes long': flexor digitorum longus reaches the distal phalanges; brevis stops at the middle.
- A distal phalanx has a tuberosity, not a head.
Common student mistakes
- Giving the great toe a middle phalanx: it has only proximal and distal phalanges.
- Trying to side an isolated toe phalanx: it cannot be done reliably.
- Saying 'phalange' for one bone: the singular is phalanx, the plural phalanges.
- Confusing the base (proximal) with the head (distal).
Common exam questions
How many phalanges are there in one foot, and how are they arranged?Show answer
Fourteen: two in the great toe (proximal and distal) and three in each of the other four toes (proximal, middle and distal).
How do you identify a distal phalanx?Show answer
It is small, has no head, and ends in a flattened tuberosity at its tip.
Name the parts of a phalanx.Show answer
Base (proximal), shaft (body) and head (distal); a distal phalanx ends in a tuberosity instead of a head.
Which tendons insert into the distal phalanx of the great toe?Show answer
Flexor hallucis longus on its plantar surface and extensor hallucis longus on its dorsal surface.
Where do flexor digitorum longus and flexor digitorum brevis insert?Show answer
Longus into the bases of the distal phalanges and brevis into the sides of the middle phalanges of the lateral four toes.
What type of joint is an interphalangeal joint of the foot?Show answer
A synovial hinge joint, allowing flexion and extension only.
Revision summary
- Fourteen phalanges per foot: two in the great toe, three in each other toe.
- Each phalanx: base, shaft, head; a distal phalanx ends in a tuberosity.
- Proximal phalanges meet the metatarsal heads at the metatarsophalangeal joints.
- Interphalangeal joints are hinge joints.
- FHL and EHL to the distal phalanx of the great toe; FDL to distal and FDB to middle phalanges of the other toes.
Test yourself on the phalanges of the foot
Spotting questions on bones, sides and landmarks — untimed, with explanations.
Joints of the phalanges of the foot
References
- Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2023.
- Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2023.
- Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT). Terminologia Anatomica. 2nd ed. FIPAT.library.dal.ca; 2019. fipat.library.dal.ca/TA2
- Kervyn G, Zielinski M, Vinent L, et al. Z-Anatomy: the libre 3D atlas of anatomy. Models derived from BodyParts3D, The Database Center for Life Science (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). CC BY-SA 4.0. www.z-anatomy.com/
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