Proximal Phalanx

Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 13 December 2020

Proximal Phalanx

The structure indicated is the proximal phalanx of the 5th finger.

The hand consists of three groups of bones:

  1. Carpals
  2. Metacarpals
  3. Phalanges

The phalanges (phalanx = singular), form the fingers/digits of the hands. The thumb consists of two phalanges: proximal phalanx and distal phalanx. The rest of the fingers consist of:

  • Proximal phalanx
  • Middle phalanx
  • Distal phalanx

The phalanges themselves have the following features:

  • Base (proximally)
  • Head (distally)
  • Shaft/body (in between the base and the head)

Learn more about the anatomy of the bones of the hand in this tutorial.