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"In hand analysis the tip segment of the middle finger is called the 2nd finger's 1st phalanx, whereas in anatomy the same body part is considered the 3rd finger's 3rd phalanx."

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Different Names for the Fingers and Knuckles

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One problem in hand analysis is the different names used for the fingers and knuckles. While the medical community has adopted standard anatomy terms, the field of hand analysis still uses its own set of names for different parts of the hand.

For example: In hand analysis the tip segment of the middle finger is called the 2nd finger's 1st phalanx, whereas in anatomy the same body part is considered the 3rd finger's 3rd phalanx.

A normal hand has a thumb and 4 fingers. Each finger has 3 bone segments and 3 joints. The thumb has 2 bone segments and 2 joints. The segments are known as phalanges (plural of phalanx).

For the purpose of this page, the following common part names are used:

  • "Tip Segment" - The phalanx with the fingernail.
  • "Middle Segment" - The middle phalanx.
  • "Base Segment" - The phalanx closest to the hand.
  • "Top Knuckle" - The upper joint, closest to the fingernail.
  • "Middle Knuckle" - The middle joint.
  • "Base Knuckle" - The joint that connects a finger to the hand.


All Fingers

Part Anatomical Names Hand Analysis Names
Tip Segments Distal phalanges
3rd phalanges
1st segments
1st phalanges
Middle Segments Middle phalanges
2nd phalanges
2nd segments
2nd phalanges
Base Segments Proximal phalanges
1st phalanges
3rd segments
3rd phalanges
Top Knuckles Distal interphalangeal joints
DIP joints
1st knuckles
1st knots
Middle Knuckles Proximal interphalangeal joints
PIP joints
2nd knuckles
2nd knots
Base Knuckles 1st joints
Knuckles
3rd knuckles
3rd knots


Thumb

Part Anatomical Names Hand Analysis Names
The thumb 1st finger Thumb
Tip Segment Distal phalanx
2nd phalanx
1st phalanx
1st segment
Base Segment Proximal phalanx
1st phalanx
2nd phalanx
2nd segment
Top Knuckle Distal interphalangeal joint
DIP joint
1st knuckle
Base Knuckle Knuckle
1st joint
2nd knuckle
Temper bump


Finger Names

Part Anatomical Names Hand Analysis Names
Index Finger 2nd finger 1st finger
Jupiter finger
Middle Finger 3rd finger 2nd finger
Saturn finger
Ring Finger 4th finger 3rd finger
Apollo finger
Baby Finger 5th finger 4th finger
Mercury finger


Article written: December 2, 2005


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