Phalanges of the foot

Ossa digitorum pedis

The phalanges of the foot are the short bones of the toes: two in the great toe and three in each of the four lesser toes.

At a glance

English: Phalanges of the foot
Latin (TA2): Ossa digitorum pedis
System: Bone
Region: Foot
In order: From the proximal phalanx of first finger of foot to the distal phalanx of fifth finger of foot

About the phalanges of the foot

The toes are built from phalanges arranged much as in the fingers but far shorter. The great toe, or hallux, has a proximal and a distal phalanx, while the second to fifth toes each have a proximal, a middle and a distal one. The proximal phalanges meet the heads of the metatarsals at the metatarsophalangeal joints in the ball of the foot, and the bones beyond are joined by interphalangeal joints: one in the great toe and two in each lesser toe.

Each phalanx has a base towards the foot, a shaft and a head towards the tip. The proximal phalanges are the longest of the row and have shafts that are slender and slightly curved, flattened beneath and rounded above. The middle phalanges of the lesser toes are very short, often little more than broad bases with a head, and the distal phalanges are tiny, flattened bones that end in a tuft supporting the nail bed and the pulp of the toe. The phalanges of the hallux are much broader and stronger than the rest, reflecting the load the great toe takes at push-off during walking.

Tendons attach to the phalanges in the same order as in the hand. The long toe flexor, flexor digitorum longus, inserts on the bases of the distal phalanges of the lesser toes, and flexor digitorum brevis divides to insert on the sides of their middle phalanges. The extensor tendons spread over the backs of the toes in a dorsal expansion. In the great toe, flexor hallucis longus and extensor hallucis longus insert on the distal phalanx, and the short muscles of the hallux reach the base of the proximal phalanx through the sesamoid bones under the first metatarsal head.

Clinically, the toes are often fractured by stubbing or by a heavy object dropped on the foot, and most such breaks heal with simple strapping to a neighbouring toe. Hallux valgus is a sideways drift of the great toe's proximal phalanx at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and hammer and claw toes are fixed bends of the interphalangeal joints of the lesser toes. In many adults the middle and distal phalanges of the fifth toe are fused into one bone.

The phalanges of the foot, in order

Each one is numbered on the model. Press a number, here or on the model, to see it named in place.

Proximal phalanx of first finger of footPhalanx proximalis primum digitorum pedisThe broad, stout first bone of the great toe, meeting the first metatarsal head; the short hallux muscles insert on its base through the sesamoids, and it drifts outwards in hallux valgus.
Distal phalanx of first finger of footPhalanx distalis primum digitorum pedisThe large, flattened tip bone of the great toe, carrying its nail; flexor hallucis longus inserts on its plantar base and extensor hallucis longus on its dorsal base.
Proximal phalanx of second finger of footPhalanx proximalis secundum digitorum pedisThe first bone of the second toe, meeting the second metatarsal; the second toe is the one most often bent into a hammer toe, and in some feet it reaches further than the great toe.
Middle phalanx of second finger of footPhalanx media secundum digitorum pedisThe short middle bone of the second toe, on whose sides flexor digitorum brevis inserts.
Distal phalanx of second finger of footPhalanx distalis secundum digitorum pedisThe small tip bone of the second toe, receiving a tendon of flexor digitorum longus on its base.
Proximal phalanx of third finger of footPhalanx proximalis tertium digitorum pedisThe first bone of the third toe, meeting the third metatarsal head; it is slightly shorter than that of the second toe.
Middle phalanx of third finger of footPhalanx media tertium digitorum pedisThe short middle bone of the third toe, little longer than it is wide.
Distal phalanx of third finger of footPhalanx distalis tertium digitorum pedisThe small tip bone of the third toe, ending in a tuft under the nail bed.
Proximal phalanx of fourth finger of footPhalanx proximalis quartum digitorum pedisThe first bone of the fourth toe, meeting the fourth metatarsal; interosseous muscles act on its sides.
Middle phalanx of fourth finger of footPhalanx media quartum digitorum pedisThe short middle bone of the fourth toe, smaller again than those of the toes beside it on the inner side.
Distal phalanx of fourth finger of footPhalanx distalis quartum digitorum pedisThe small tip bone of the fourth toe, carrying the nail bed and the insertion of its long flexor tendon.
Proximal phalanx of fifth finger of footPhalanx proximalis quintum digitorum pedisThe first bone of the little toe, meeting the fifth metatarsal; abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi brevis insert on its base.
Middle phalanx of fifth finger of footPhalanx media quintum digitorum pedisThe smallest middle phalanx in the foot, and the one most often fused with the distal phalanx of the little toe.
Distal phalanx of fifth finger of footPhalanx distalis quintum digitorum pedisThe tiniest of the toe bones, at the tip of the little toe, frequently joined to the middle phalanx in adults.

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At a glance

About the phalanges of the foot

Related structures

See the phalanges of the foot where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.