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# Toe ligaments

The toe ligaments are small bands on the sides and underside of each toe joint that keep the toes steady.

Official name: Collateral interphalangeal ligaments of foot

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## What it is

Small ligaments on the sides (collateral) and underside (plantar) of the joints inside each toe.

## What it does

Keep the toe joints stable so they bend only up and down.

## Key points

- The [big toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/great-toe/) has a single interphalangeal joint; the lesser toes have two (proximal and distal)
- Same design as the fingers: two collateral ligaments and a plantar plate per joint

## Key facts

**Attaches**
Collateral ligaments and plantar plates of proximal and distal interphalangeal joints

**Function**
Stabilize interphalangeal hinge joints; allow only flexion and extension

**Tight in**
Interphalangeal extension (plantar plates)

## Relations

**Above**
Extensor expansion of the [toe extensor tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendons-of-extensor-digitorum-longus/)

**Below**
[Flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/) to the middle phalanx and [flexor digitorum longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-longus/) to the distal phalanx, in their fibrous sheaths

**Lateral**
Dorsal and plantar [digital nerves](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/palmar-digital-nerves/) and arteries running along each side of the toe

## How to find it

The phalanges and interphalangeal joints can be felt along their whole length. Each joint line is found by bending and straightening the toe; the collateral ligaments are stressed by pushing the toe sideways with the joint slightly bent.

## Examination

- Side-to-side (varus–valgus) stress: the joint opening more than its neighbours suggests a collateral ligament tear

## On imaging

AP and oblique toe X-rays show dislocations and avulsion flakes from the phalangeal bases; a true lateral view is hard because the toes overlap.

## Common problems

- Sprains from stubbing or jamming a toe.

## Clinical notes

- Deformities: hammer toe (PIP flexed), mallet toe (DIP flexed), claw toe (MTP hyperextended with PIP and DIP flexed)
- A stubbed toe can hide a fracture; a distal phalanx fracture with a nail bed injury is an open fracture
- Digital nerve blocks target the nerves on both sides of the toe base

## Anatomical variants

- The [little toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/little-toe/) often has only one interphalangeal joint, because its middle and distal phalanges are fused

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## How many interphalangeal joints does the big toe have compared with the lesser toes?

One in the big toe; two (proximal and distal) in each lesser toe.

## Which ligaments stabilize each toe interphalangeal joint, and what movement do they allow?

Two collateral ligaments and a plantar plate; they allow only flexion and extension.

## How are hammer toe, mallet toe and claw toe defined?

Hammer toe: PIP flexed. Mallet toe: DIP flexed. Claw toe: MTP hyperextended with PIP and DIP flexed.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
ligamenta interphalangea collateralia pedis TA2 1972

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Ligamentos colaterales interfalángicos del pie

**English (TA2)**
Collateral interphalangeal ligaments of foot

**Also called**
ligamenta collateralia

## Related

- [MTP ligaments and plantar plate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/collateral-metatarsophalangeal-ligaments/)
- [Toe joint capsules](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/capsules-of-metatarsophalangeal-and-interphalangeal-joints-of-foot/)
- [Big toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/great-toe/)
- [Second toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second-toe/)
- [Third toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third-toe/)
- [Fourth toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth-toe/)
- [Little toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/little-toe/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Foot Joints](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536941/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Surface Anatomy of the Lower Extremity (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Articulations of the Digits (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain.

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/collateral-interphalangeal-ligaments-of-foot/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/collateral-interphalangeal-ligaments-of-foot/