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Middle phalanx of little finger: anatomy, location and function

The middle of the three phalanges of the little finger (fifth digit). Allows the finger to curl; flexor digitorum superficialis inserts along its sides to flex the proximal interphalangeal joint.

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Highlighted in the model: Middle phalanx of little finger. Click any part to read about it, or switch off “Highlight topic” to see the whole body. 3D data: BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science, CC BY 4.0; meshes simplified and recoloured. The model is an adult male.

Middle phalanx of little finger at a glance

What it is
The middle of the three phalanges of the little finger (fifth digit).
Location
Lies between the proximal and distal phalanges, forming the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints.
Function
Allows the finger to curl; flexor digitorum superficialis inserts along its sides to flex the proximal interphalangeal joint.
Body system
Skeletal · paired (left and right)
FMA ID
FMA23944 (Foundational Model of Anatomy)

Key facts

  • The central slip of the extensor expansion inserts on the dorsal side of its base.
  • Its skin is supplied by the ulnar nerve, which makes the little fingertip a standard place to test ulnar sensation.
  • It is the smallest middle phalanx of the hand.

Clinical relevance

Rupture of the central slip over its base lets the proximal interphalangeal joint buckle through the extensor hood, producing a boutonnière deformity.

Structures next to the middle phalanx of little finger

The nearest named structures in the 3D model, measured from the centre of each part:

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy: Middle phalanx of little finger (FMA23944). EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service.
  2. OpenStax. Anatomy and Physiology 2e, §7.1 Divisions of the Skeletal System. Rice University, 2022.
  3. Mitsuhashi N. et al. (2009). BodyParts3D: 3D structure database for anatomical concepts. Nucleic Acids Research 37, D782–D785. Data © The Database Center for Life Science, CC BY 4.0.

Related anatomy

Explore the whole body in the interactive 3D human anatomy model, or browse the A–Z list of human structures.