- There are two phalanges in the big toe, named proximal and distal phalanges.
- There are three phalanges in each of the other toes, named proximal, middle, and distal phalanges.
- The phalanges of a toe along with the associated metatarsal is called a ray
- The phalanges articulate with:
- the metatarsals proximally, forming the metatarsophalangeal joints.
- each other, forming the interphalangeal joints.
NOTES:
- The word phalanges is plural. Singular for phalanges is phalanx (there is no word phalange).
- Each phalanx is a long bone, therefore it has expanded ends. The proximal expanded end is called the base; the distal expanded end is called the head.
- Because there are only two phalanges in the big toe, the big toe has one interphalangeal joint.
- Because the other toes have three phalanges each, each toe has two interphalangeal joints, each toe having a proximal interphalangeal joint and a distal interphalangeal joint.
![Dorsal view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-dorsal-4467-modified-1024x439.jpg)
Dorsal view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.
![Plantar view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-plantar-4643-1024x439.jpg)
Plantar view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.
![Medial view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-medial-4873-modified-1024x394.jpg)
Medial view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.
![Lateral view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/22-Foot-lateral-5333-1024x422.jpg)
Lateral view of the bones of the foot on the right side of the body.