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Proximal phalanx of little finger: anatomy, location and function

The longest of the three phalanges of the little finger (fifth digit), nearest the palm. Forms the base of the finger and allows flexion, extension, abduction and adduction at the knuckle.

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Highlighted in the model: Proximal 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.

Proximal phalanx of little finger at a glance

What it is
The longest of the three phalanges of the little finger (fifth digit), nearest the palm.
Location
Its base articulates with the head of the metacarpal at the metacarpophalangeal joint; its head articulates with the middle phalanx at the proximal interphalangeal joint.
Function
Forms the base of the finger and allows flexion, extension, abduction and adduction at the knuckle.
Body system
Skeletal · paired (left and right)
FMA ID
FMA66791 (Foundational Model of Anatomy)

Key facts

  • Abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi brevis insert on the ulnar side of its base, and the third palmar interosseous on the radial side.
  • Its head forms the proximal interphalangeal joint, a hinge joint stabilised by collateral ligaments and the palmar plate.
  • The extensor expansion (dorsal hood) wraps around it, receiving the lumbrical on its radial side.

Clinical relevance

Fractures of the proximal phalanx usually angulate with the apex toward the palm because of the pull of the interossei and extensor hood; rotation must be corrected so the little finger does not cross its neighbours when making a fist.

Structures next to the proximal 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: Proximal phalanx of little finger (FMA66791). 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.