Phalanges facts for kids

Bone: Phalanx bone
Illustration of the phalanges
The phalanges in a human hand
Latin	phalanx pl. phalanges
Articulations	Metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, interphalangeal

Phalanges of the left hand

Phalanges (say: fuh-LAN-jeez) are the bones that make up your fingers and toes. You have 14 phalanges in each hand and 14 in each foot. This means you have a total of 56 phalanges in your body! These small bones are super important for helping you grab things, walk, and keep your balance.

What are Phalanges?

Phalanges are long bones, even though they are quite small. They are named based on their position.

• The ones closest to your palm or foot are called proximal phalanges.
• The ones in the middle are middle phalanges.
• The ones at the very tips of your fingers and toes are distal phalanges.

Your thumb and big toe are special! They only have two phalanges: a proximal and a distal one. All your other fingers and toes have three: proximal, middle, and distal.

Phalanges in Your Hands

The phalanges in your hands are commonly known as your fingers. They help you do amazing things like writing, playing sports, and holding your phone. Each finger, except your thumb, has three bones. Your thumb has two. These bones work together to let you bend and straighten your fingers. This movement is possible because of the joints between the phalanges.

Phalanges in Your Feet

The phalanges in your feet are called toes. They are usually shorter and stronger than your finger bones. This is because they help you balance and push off the ground when you walk or run. Just like your fingers, each toe (except your big toe) has three bones. Your big toe has two. The way these bones connect allows your toes to bend, helping you grip the ground.

How Phalanges Connect

Phalanges connect to other bones through joints.

• In your hands, the proximal phalanges connect to the metacarpal bones in your palm.
• In your feet, the proximal phalanges connect to the metatarsal bones in your foot.
• Phalanges also connect to each other to form the joints in your fingers and toes. These are called interphalangeal joints.

These joints allow your fingers and toes to bend and move smoothly. Without them, you wouldn't be able to grasp objects or walk properly!

Images for kids

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  The phalanges in a human hand

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  Thumb and index finger of right hand during pad-to-pad precision grasping in ulnar view.

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  Skeleton of orangutan, dog, swine, cattle, tapir, and horse

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  Phalanges.

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  Phalanges.

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  Unilateral extra phalangeal crease

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  Joints of the hand in an X-ray image

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  Movement of the three finger phalanges; Distal, middle and proximal

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  Distal phalanges of a Masai giraffe

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  Three-fingered sloth

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  Terminal phalanx of a Scelidotherium ground sloth

See also

In Spanish: Falange (hueso) para niños