Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewShape and StructureFunction and PurposeMedical ConditionsCaring for Your FeetFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Shape and Structure
Function and Purpose
Medical Conditions
Caring for Your Feet
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve heard the term “proximal phalanx” you might be wondering exactly where that is. There are so many bones in the foot! Let’s take a look at the anatomy of the proximal phalanx, where this fits with the anatomy of the rest of the foot, the specific function and purpose of these bones, and what medical conditions may affect them.
Photo © Terence Vanderheiden, D.P.M.
The proximal phalanx is the phalanx (toe bone) closest to the leg. The image shows a diagram of where these bones lie in the foot—the midpoint of the proximal phalanges being where to the toes branch off from the main body of the foot.
In medical lingo, a proximal phalanx is the bone in each toe closest to the metatarsal bone that connects to the intermediate phalanx bone.
Foot Anatomy and Causes of Pain
What Are Phalanges?
“Phalanges” is the plural form of phalanx. In anatomy, it refers collectively to the digital (finger and toe) bones in the hands and feet. There are 56 phalanx bones in the human body. The big toe (known as the hallux) and the thumb each have two phalanges, while the other fingers and toes each have three.
The phalanx bones of the toe are shorter than those in the hand. This is particularly true of the proximal phalanx.
Brief Anatomy of the Feet and Toes
To get a better idea of the location of the proximal phalanges, it might help to briefly review the basic anatomy of the feet. The feet are broken down into three primary areas:
The proximal phalanx shape is concave beneath, meaning it is curved inward, like the inside of a bowl. The top of the proximal phalanx is convex, having the opposite shape with an outward curve like the outside of a ball. The sides of the bone are compressed, making the bone narrower at the middle than at the ends.
The base end of the proximal phalanx is concave in shape where it connects to the metatarsal bone. The head of the proximal phalanx connects to the intermediate phalanx in a trochlear fashion that allows for articulation.
The proximal phalanges are critical in allowing the toes to bend properly. As such, they are important in activities ranging from walking to jumping. These bones are also important in lateral movements, helping you to navigate irregular surfaces and maintain your balance.
The human foot is a very complex part of the body that bears the brunt of significant forces as we move about in our lives. As such, it can be prone to injury. At the same time that our feet are exposed to the forces, foot pain can limit nearly every activity in our lives.
Here are a few common problems that can be related to or affect the proximal phalanx.
MetatarsalgiaMetatarsalgia is pain that occurs in the foot between the arch and the toes, often in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. It is usually associated with problems with foot biomechanics or deformities. Tenderness and pain when walking are common symptoms.
OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of joints where cartilage, which acts as the cushion between bones in a joint, deteriorates. It can develop as a result of the normal wear-and-tear on the joint. Sprains and injuries to the foot, abnormal foot biomechanics and deformities can also cause osteoarthritis to develop.
Osteophytes (Bone Spurs)Bone spurs are bony growths or projections that can develop along joints. They are often associated with osteoarthritis. They can cause pain and result in limitations to the movement of the joints they affect.
DIP Psoriatic Arthritis (DIP PsA) Symptoms and Treatment
We often take our feet for granted until an injury or arthritis forces us to see how dependent we are on their normal function. If you have any discomfort which is severe or persists, make sure to make an appointment to see your healthcare provider or podiatrist earlier rather than later. Many foot conditions are much easier to treat when they haven’t become a chronic problem.
There are 14 phalanges in each foot. The big toe (hallux) has two phalanges called the distal and proximal phalanx bone. Each of the other toes contain three phalanges.
Hallux fractures make up around 5.5 percent of fractures affecting the feet and ankles.Most toe injuries do not require surgery for treatment and allow for a return to physical activity after some time. In the case of a more severe toe injury, immediate treatment is necessary to prevent long-term pain and disability.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Toe and Forefoot Fractures.Arthritis Foundation.Anatomy of the Foot.Godoy-Santos AL, Giordano V, Cesar C, et al.HALLUX PROXIMAL PHALANX FRACTURE IN ADULTS: AN OVERLOOKED DIAGNOSIS.Acta Ortop Bras. 2020;28(6):318-322. doi:10.1590/1413-785220202806236612York PJ, Wydra FB, Hunt KJ.Injuries to the great toe. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2017;10(1):104-112. doi:10.1007/s12178-017-9390-yAdditional ReadingKasper, Dennis L.., Anthony S. Fauci, and Stephen L.. Hauser. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2015. Print.Gill, T., Menz, H., Landorf, K., Arnold, J., Taylor, A., and C. Hill.Identification of Clusters of Foot Pain Location in a Community Sample.Arthritis Care and Research. 2017 Feb 23. (Epub ahead of print).
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Toe and Forefoot Fractures.Arthritis Foundation.Anatomy of the Foot.Godoy-Santos AL, Giordano V, Cesar C, et al.HALLUX PROXIMAL PHALANX FRACTURE IN ADULTS: AN OVERLOOKED DIAGNOSIS.Acta Ortop Bras. 2020;28(6):318-322. doi:10.1590/1413-785220202806236612York PJ, Wydra FB, Hunt KJ.Injuries to the great toe. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2017;10(1):104-112. doi:10.1007/s12178-017-9390-yAdditional ReadingKasper, Dennis L.., Anthony S. Fauci, and Stephen L.. Hauser. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2015. Print.Gill, T., Menz, H., Landorf, K., Arnold, J., Taylor, A., and C. Hill.Identification of Clusters of Foot Pain Location in a Community Sample.Arthritis Care and Research. 2017 Feb 23. (Epub ahead of print).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Toe and Forefoot Fractures.Arthritis Foundation.Anatomy of the Foot.Godoy-Santos AL, Giordano V, Cesar C, et al.HALLUX PROXIMAL PHALANX FRACTURE IN ADULTS: AN OVERLOOKED DIAGNOSIS.Acta Ortop Bras. 2020;28(6):318-322. doi:10.1590/1413-785220202806236612York PJ, Wydra FB, Hunt KJ.Injuries to the great toe. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2017;10(1):104-112. doi:10.1007/s12178-017-9390-y
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Toe and Forefoot Fractures.
Arthritis Foundation.Anatomy of the Foot.
Godoy-Santos AL, Giordano V, Cesar C, et al.HALLUX PROXIMAL PHALANX FRACTURE IN ADULTS: AN OVERLOOKED DIAGNOSIS.Acta Ortop Bras. 2020;28(6):318-322. doi:10.1590/1413-785220202806236612
York PJ, Wydra FB, Hunt KJ.Injuries to the great toe. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2017;10(1):104-112. doi:10.1007/s12178-017-9390-y
Kasper, Dennis L.., Anthony S. Fauci, and Stephen L.. Hauser. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2015. Print.Gill, T., Menz, H., Landorf, K., Arnold, J., Taylor, A., and C. Hill.Identification of Clusters of Foot Pain Location in a Community Sample.Arthritis Care and Research. 2017 Feb 23. (Epub ahead of print).
Kasper, Dennis L.., Anthony S. Fauci, and Stephen L.. Hauser. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2015. Print.
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