DESCRIPTION OF PHALANGES, CARPAL AND TARSAL BONES WITH APPLIED ANATOMY

DESCRIPTION OF PHALANGES, CARPAL AND TARSAL BONES WITH APPLIED ANATOMY

• Bones of the hand and foot are essential for grasping, locomotion, and stability.

• These include phalanges (finger and toe bones), carpal bones (wrist bones), and tarsal bones (ankle bones).

• These are part of the appendicular skeleton and are studied in Rachana Shareera under Asthishareera.

PHALANGES

DESCRIPTION

• Phalanges are the digital bones present in both the hands (fingers) and feet (toes).

• Each finger has 3 phalanges (proximal, middle, distal) except the thumb/big toe which has 2 phalanges.

• Total number:

  • Hand: 14 phalanges (5 digits × 3 each, thumb has 2)

  • Foot: 14 phalanges (similar arrangement as hand)

• Each phalanx has:

  • Base (proximal)

  • Shaft

  • Head (distal)

SANSKRIT REFERENCE

अङ्गुल्यः पञ्च संख्याताः प्रत्येकस्य त्रयोऽस्थयः।
अङ्गुष्ठस्य तु द्वे प्रोक्ते चरकः सन्निबोधयत्॥

APPLIED ANATOMY

• Fractures of phalanges are common due to crush injuries.

• Dislocations at interphalangeal joints can limit movement.

• Congenital anomalies: syndactyly (fusion), polydactyly (extra digits).

CARPAL BONES

DESCRIPTION

• Carpal bones form the wrist joint and consist of 8 small bones arranged in 2 rows:

  • Proximal row (lateral to medial): Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform

  • Distal row (lateral to medial): Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate

• These bones articulate with the radius, ulna, and metacarpals.

MNEMONIC (for identification)
Some Lovers Try Positions
That They Can’t Handle

SANSKRIT REFERENCE

मणिबन्धे अष्ट चास्थीनि स्थितानि स्युर्द्विधा युगे।
स्वल्पानि तानि कर्माणि हस्तस्य कुर्वते शुभम्॥

APPLIED ANATOMY

• Scaphoid fracture is common in falls on an outstretched hand; risk of avascular necrosis due to poor blood supply.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compression of median nerve under flexor retinaculum, causing pain and numbness in hand.

• Osteoarthritis can affect the carpometacarpal joint, especially of the thumb (first CMC joint).

TARSAL BONES

DESCRIPTION

• Tarsal bones form the ankle and proximal part of the foot.

• Total 7 tarsal bones:

  • Proximal group: Talus, Calcaneus

  • Intermediate bone: Navicular

  • Distal group: Cuboid, 3 Cuneiforms (medial, intermediate, lateral)

ARRANGEMENT

• Talus articulates with tibia and fibula at ankle joint.

• Calcaneus forms the heel and is the largest tarsal bone.

• The arches of foot are supported by these bones for shock absorption and weight distribution.

SANSKRIT REFERENCE

गुल्फे च सप्त सम्पूर्णाः तालुकश्च अङ्घ्रिभूमिषु।
पृष्ठतो चलनायैव कुर्वन्ति दृढनिश्चयम्॥

APPLIED ANATOMY

• Calcaneal fractures occur from height falls; can affect subtalar joint.

• Flat foot (pes planus) arises due to collapse of medial longitudinal arch.

• Talus is prone to avascular necrosis in fractures due to retrograde blood supply.

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: compression of posterior tibial nerve under flexor retinaculum.