- The interphalangeal (IP) joints of the foot are located between the phalanges of the toes (including the big toe).
- There is one interphalangeal joint in the big toe.
- There are two interphalangeal joints in each of the other toes (#2-5): proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints.
- The interphalangeal joints are synovial, diarthrotic, uniaxial, hinge joints.
- They allow:
- flexion/extension of the toes in the sagittal plane.
NOTES:
- Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints are located between proximal and middle phalanges.
- Distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints are located between middle and distal phalanges.
- Because the big toe has only two phalanges, it has only one interphalangeal joint.
- Singular of the word phalanges is phalanx. There is no word phalange.
![Dorsal view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-dorsal-4467-modified-1024x439.jpg)
Dorsal view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).
![Plantar view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-plantar-4643-1024x439.jpg)
Plantar view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).
![Medial view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-medial-4873-modified-1024x394.jpg)
Medial view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).
![Lateral view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-lateral-5333-1024x422.jpg)
Lateral view of the foot on the right side of the body, demonstrating the interphalangeal joints (as well as other joints of the foot).