What does phalange mean?
A phalange is a bone within a finger or toe. In standard usage, the singular is phalanx and the plural is phalanges, making phalange a less common alternative that is chiefly encountered in anatomical or formal contexts. The bones are known as the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges in fingers and toes, except that the thumb and the big toe have only two because they lack a middle bone. The word belongs to the same learned anatomical tradition as terms such as phalangeal, meaning “relating to the phalanges.” Although phalange may initially resemble a plural, it is a singular noun; its established plural form is phalanges. It is also sometimes encountered as a variant of phalanx, a term that has the additional sense of a tightly arranged military formation.
nounA rare term for one of the bones of a finger or toe. The more usual singular form is phalanx, with plural phalanges.
- One of the bones forming a finger or toe.
- A less common variant of phalanx, especially in anatomical usage.
"The injury affected the middle phalange of her index finger."
"The scan revealed a fracture in the proximal phalange of her thumb."
"Each digit of the hand has three phalanges, whereas the thumb has two."
The established plural is phalanges, not phalangeses or phalangines.
"The bones of the hand and wrist include twenty-seven bones, among them fourteen phalanges."
Though it sounds like a plural, phalange is singular: the familiar plural is phalanges.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does phalange come from?
The word comes through French from Greek phalanx, meaning a line or formation of soldiers and also a row of bones in the fingers or toes. In anatomical usage, the Greek term was borrowed into English in the early 19th century and developed the established plural phalanges. The adjective phalangeal was subsequently formed in English to describe structures related to these bones.
Related word forms
How phalange is actually used
This is a formal and comparatively uncommon anatomical term. In standard modern English, phalanx is normally used for a single finger or toe bone, and phalanges for several such bones.
Easily confused with phalange
Phalange is a rare singular term for a finger or toe bone, whereas phalanx is the standard singular term and can also refer to a military formation.