Proximal Phalanx's Head, Posterior View

Description

Head of the proximal phalanx is centered in this posterior (dorsal) view of a finger phalanx, emphasizing the bicondylar articular surface that meets the base of the intermediate (middle) phalanx at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Rounded medial and lateral condyles project distally, separated by a shallow intercondylar groove, while the dorsal aspect of the neck sits proximal to the articular margin. On either side, the nonarticular tubercles and subtle depressions for collateral ligament attachment lie slightly dorsal to the mid-coronal plane, consistent with the posterior orientation. For hand surgeons and educators, this is the bony geometry that explains why PIP joint stability is so dependent on the collateral ligaments and the volar plate, and why intra-articular condylar fractures or dorsal PIP dislocations can leave persistent incongruity even after reduction. Posterior lighting on the condyles helps separate the articular cartilage-bearing contours from the rougher dorsal metaphyseal bone, which is what you need when teaching joint congruence, implant positioning, or fracture line propagation. Small surface cues matter here. They guide where soft tissues tether. Use this illustration in upper limb anatomy courses when introducing the PIP joint, in orthopedic or plastic surgery teaching files for dorsal and volar approaches to the finger, or in medical publishing layouts that compare surface anatomy to PA and lateral hand radiographs and CT reconstructions of phalangeal head fractures and osteophytes in interphalangeal osteoarthritis. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.