Anatomic.us > Skeletal System > Appendicular Skeleton

Phalanges Foot

Bones found in the toes of feet are known as phalanges. These phalanges are also known as phalanges digitorum pedis. There are 14 phalanges in each foot; 3 phalanges for all the toes except 2 phalanges for great toe.

The phalanges of foot are much smaller in size as compared to phalanges of hands and these are short, thick and club shaped bony structures. The shafts of phalanges are compressed from sides, especially in the first row of the phalanges. However, the arrangement and other features of phalanges are similar in both feet.

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Phalanges Foot


PARTS OF THE PHALANGES

 

The phalanges consist of three main parts:

  • Body, flat on sides, concave below and convex above

  • Proximal extremities

  • Distal extremities

 

OSSIFICATION

 

Phalanges are ossified by two ossification centers, one primary and one secondary centre. The primary centre is for shafts of phalanges and it appears in about 10th week of fetal life. The secondary centre appears in the base and its time of appearance is variable for different phalanges.

 

FIRST ROW OF THE PHALANGES

The proximal phalanges in the first row of the foot are the largest phalanges in the foot. These are less thick and longer as compared to distal phalanges. The body of the first row’s phalanges is convex superiorly and concave inferiorly. The shaft is short and compressed from sides. The base is concave and head contains a trochlear surface for articulation with second phalanx.

 

SECOND ROW OF THE PHALANGES

The distal phalanges are short and thick in the second row. The phalanges present in second row are broader as compared to those in first row but are reduced in length. The ungual phalanges present in second row have an ungula process with a flat and broad base to support nails at the end of the toe.

 

THIRD ROW OF THE PHALANGES

These are also known as the distal phalanges. All the fingers of feet contain one distal phalanx except big toe, which lack a 3rd bone.

 

JOINTS

 

The phalanges of first row except the one for big toe, articulate proximally with metatarsals and distally with the second row of phalanges. The second row of phalanges, subsequently, articulates with 3rd row phalanges.

 

ATTACHMENTS

Foot phalanges provide attachments for several muscles of foot like flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus on the base, flexor digitorum brevis on shafts, lumbrical muscles on medial sides and interosseous muscle on both sides.

 

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

 

The main clinical problem that is encountered by the big toe is bunions, which is a swelling along with the big toe. Other deformities include the fractures of toes and inflammatory reactions affecting them.



PARTS OF THE PHALANGES

 

The phalanges consist of three main parts:

  • Body, flat on sides, concave below and convex above

  • Proximal extremities

  • Distal extremities

 

OSSIFICATION

 

Phalanges are ossified by two ossification centers, one primary and one secondary centre. The primary centre is for shafts of phalanges and it appears in about 10th week of fetal life. The secondary centre appears in the base and its time of appearance is variable for different phalanges.

 

FIRST ROW OF THE PHALANGES

The proximal phalanges in the first row of the foot are the largest phalanges in the foot. These are less thick and longer as compared to distal phalanges. The body of the first row’s phalanges is convex superiorly and concave inferiorly. The shaft is short and compressed from sides. The base is concave and head contains a trochlear surface for articulation with second phalanx.

 

SECOND ROW OF THE PHALANGES

The distal phalanges are short and thick in the second row. The phalanges present in second row are broader as compared to those in first row but are reduced in length. The ungual phalanges present in second row have an ungula process with a flat and broad base to support nails at the end of the toe.

 

THIRD ROW OF THE PHALANGES

These are also known as the distal phalanges. All the fingers of feet contain one distal phalanx except big toe, which lack a 3rd bone.

 

JOINTS

 

The phalanges of first row except the one for big toe, articulate proximally with metatarsals and distally with the second row of phalanges. The second row of phalanges, subsequently, articulates with 3rd row phalanges.

 

ATTACHMENTS

Foot phalanges provide attachments for several muscles of foot like flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus on the base, flexor digitorum brevis on shafts, lumbrical muscles on medial sides and interosseous muscle on both sides.

 

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

 

The main clinical problem that is encountered by the big toe is bunions, which is a swelling along with the big toe. Other deformities include the fractures of toes and inflammatory reactions affecting them.

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