phalanx
Quick Summary
The term "phalanx" has two primary meanings. Historically, it refers to a tight military formation of soldiers standing shoulder-to-shoulder, a tactic used in ancient warfare. This Greek term, meaning "log," was also applied to the bones found in fingers and toes.1
In anatomy, a phalangeal bone, or phalanx, is one of the small bones that make up the fingers and toes. The human hand and foot skeletons are composed of these bones, along with carpals, metacarpals, tarsals, and metatarsals. While congenital bone diseases can affect limb development, including the formation of phalanges, the term "phalanx" itself primarily denotes the bone structure or the ancient military formation.234
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skeletonLimbscomprises the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges in the forelimb and the tarsus, metatarsus, and phalanges in the hind limb. A typical limb has five digits (fingers or toes), which contain the phalanges.
Read Morecomprises the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges in the forelimb and the tarsus, metatarsus, and phalanges in the hind limb. A typical limb has five digits (fingers or toes), which contain the phalanges.
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human skeletonHands and feetThe phalangesāthe toe bonesāof the foot have bases relatively large compared with the corresponding bones in the hand, while the shafts are much thinner. The middle and outer phalanges in the foot are short in comparison with those of the fingers. The phalanges of the bigā¦
Read MoreThe phalangesāthe toe bonesāof the foot have bases relatively large compared with the corresponding bones in the hand, while the shafts are much thinner. The middle and outer phalanges in the foot are short in comparison with those of the fingers. The phalanges of the bigā¦
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- digit
ā¦consists of small bones called phalanges. The tips of the digits are usually protected by keratinous structures, such as claws, nails, or hoofs, which may also be used for defense or manipulation. Digits are numbered one through five, beginning with the inside digit (thumb) when the palm (paw) is faceā¦
Read Moreā¦consists of small bones called phalanges. The tips of the digits are usually protected by keratinous structures, such as claws, nails, or hoofs, which may also be used for defense or manipulation. Digits are numbered one through five, beginning with the inside digit (thumb) when the palm (paw) is faceā¦
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handā¦the metacarpal bones, and the phalanges. The digits include a medial thumb (when viewed with the palm down), containing two phalanges, and four fingers, each containing three phalanges.
Read Moreā¦the metacarpal bones, and the phalanges. The digits include a medial thumb (when viewed with the palm down), containing two phalanges, and four fingers, each containing three phalanges.
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