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# Middle phalanx, little finger

The middle phalanx of the little finger is the shortest middle finger bone; when it is wedge-shaped the little finger curves toward the ring finger.

Official name: Middle phalanx of the little finger

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## What it is

The middle bone of the little finger.

## What it does

One of the finger bones; the joints between them let the finger curl.

## Key points

- The shortest middle phalanx; a short, wedge-shaped one is the usual cause of clinodactyly (little finger curving toward the ring finger)
- The FDS slips insert on its sides; in some people the FDS of the little finger is weak or absent

## Key facts

**Joints with**
Proximal phalanx (PIP), distal phalanx (DIP)

**Landmarks**
Base, shaft, head; FDS inserts on its sides

## Relations

**Above**
Head of the proximal phalanx at the PIP joint

**In front**
FDP tendon between the FDS slips

**Behind**
Central slip and lateral bands of the extensor mechanism

## How to find it

The short segment of the little finger between its two finger joints; in clinodactyly the curve starts here and is easy to see with the fingers held straight together.

## Examination

- Superficialis test for the little finger: because its FDS may be weak or missing, holding all other fingers straight can falsely suggest a cut tendon; some examiners hold only the ring finger and compare both hands

## On imaging

A PA view shows its length and shape; in clinodactyly the bone is short and [trapezoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trapezoid/) or triangular (a delta phalanx), with the growth plate running along one side instead of across the base.

## Clinical notes

- Clinodactyly is usually painless and only cosmetic; an osteotomy, or releasing the bar of a delta phalanx in a child, is kept for marked angulation
- Volar plate injuries at its palmar base are common in ball sports and may show a small bone flake on the lateral view

## Anatomical variants

- Short middle phalanx of the little finger (brachymesophalangy), sometimes isolated and sometimes part of syndromes such as Down syndrome

## Development

Usually one of the last phalanges to start ossifying; an abnormal C-shaped growth plate along one side makes a triangular delta phalanx that grows into a curve.

## Test yourself

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

## Which is the shortest middle phalanx?

The middle phalanx of the little finger.

## What is the usual cause of clinodactyly of the little finger?

A short, wedge-shaped middle phalanx, making the little finger curve toward the ring finger.

## Short middle phalanx of the little finger (brachymesophalangy) can be part of which syndrome?

Down syndrome, among others; it can also occur in isolation.

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

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
phalanx media manus TA2 1278

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Falange media del meñique

**English (TA2)**
Middle phalanx of the little finger

## Related

- [Extensor tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-tendons/)
- [FDP tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-profundus-tendons/)
- [FDS tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-superficialis-tendons/)
- [Finger joint capsules](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/finger-joint-capsules/)
- [Finger pulleys](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-tendon-sheaths-and-pulleys/)
- [Finger collateral ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/collateral-ligaments-of-the-finger-joints/)
- [Volar plates (fingers)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/volar-plates-of-the-interphalangeal-joints/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Bones](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547684/); [8.2 Bones of the Upper Limb](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/8-2-bones-of-the-upper-limb) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [8.5 Development of the Appendicular Skeleton](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/8-5-development-of-the-appendicular-skeleton) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); 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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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/middle-phalanx-of-the-little-finger/