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What type of bones are the phalanges?

Question:

What type of bones are the phalanges?

Types of Bones:

The bones of the human body are separated into types based on their length and shape. These features help determine how the bones move and what functions they serve. The general types are long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones. These are fairly simple descriptions and they cover every single bone we have.

Answer and Explanation: 1

Phalanges are classified as short bones, primarily because they only range between half an inch and two inches in length. These are the bones of the fingers and toes and each bone is called a phalanx, the singular for phalanges. Except for the big toe and the thumb, each digit on the hand or foot has three phalanges. The proximal phalanx is the bone connecting the finger or toe to the hand or the foot. The middle phalanx is, naturally, the phalanx in the middle of the finger or toe. The distal phalanx is the bone beneath the fingernail or toenail at the tip of the digit. The big toe and the thumb both lack the middle phalanx but have the proximal phalanx and the distal phalanx.


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Phalanges: Definition & Function

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Chapter 5 / Lesson 5
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Learn a phalanges definition and see the phalanges function and phalanges anatomy. Also learn about the types of phalanges and their location in the human body.


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