Anatomy-Lexicon

Finger joint

synonym

Articulatio phalangea; English: knuckle, finger joint

definition

The finger joint forms the articulated connection between the individual bony phalanges (Phalanges). It connects proximally (close to the body) the finger bone with the metacarpal bone, distal (far from the body) the individual phalanges with one another.
A distinction is made between the metacarpophalangeal joint, the metacarpal joint and the terminal joint.

Figure finger joint

Right hand shown from the palm side (palmar): A - structure (joint lines green) and B - bones of the right hand

Distal phalanx -
Phalanx distalis
Phalanx -
Phalanx media
Phalanx -
Ph. Proximalis
Metacarpal bones -
Metacarpals
Trapezoidal leg -
Trapezium
Trapezoid leg -
Trapezoid bone
Head leg - Os capitatum
Hook leg - Hamate bone
Scaphoid bone of the hand -
Scaphoid bone
Moonbone - Lunate bone
Triangular leg - Os triquetrum
Pea bone - Os pisiform
Sesame bone - Os sesamoideum
Cubit - Ulna
Spoke - radius

I - I metacarpal joint -
Articulatio metacarpophalangea
II - II middle finger joint
(missing on thumb) -
Articulatio interphalangea (proximalis)
III - III finger end joint -
Articulatio interphalangea
(distalis)
IV - thumb joint -
Articulatio interphalangea I

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

Structure of the finger joint

The following bones are involved in the structure of the finger:

Metacarpal bones (Metacarpal bone)
phalanx close to the body (Phalanx proximalis ossis digiti)
middle phalanx (Phalanx media ossis digiti)
distal phalanx (Phalanx distalis ossis digiti)

Appointment with ?

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)

In order to be able to treat successfully in orthopedics, a thorough examination, diagnosis and a medical history are required.
In our very economic world in particular, there is too little time to thoroughly grasp the complex diseases of orthopedics and thus initiate targeted treatment.
I don't want to join the ranks of "quick knife pullers".
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You will find me:

Lumedis - orthopedic surgeons
Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main

You can make an appointment here.
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
For more information about myself, see Lumedis - Orthopedists.

Metacarpal joint

The metacarpal joint (Articulatio metacarpophalangealis) represents the connection between the metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx. It is a restricted ball joint and therefore, from a functional point of view, a so-called egg joint (Ellipsoid joint, Articulatio ellipsoidea). It enables movement in two axes: sideways movement (abduction and adduction) as well as flexion and extension (flexion and extension).

An exception is the metatarsophalangeal joint (Art. Metacarpophalangealis I). It is a hinge joint that only allows movement in one main axis, namely in flexion and extension.

Outwardly you can see the basic joints as the colloquially known knuckles.

Median joint

The middle finger joint (Articulatio interphalangealis proximalis, PIP) connects the proximal and middle phalanx. It is a hinge joint and therefore only allows flexion and extension. The thumb is again an exception here. It has no central joint because it only has two phalanges.

Finger joint

The Articulatio interphalangealis distales (DIP), the Finger joint, describes the connection between the middle and distant phalanx. It is just like the median joint Hinge joint and has the same freedom of movement.

Tapes

Each finger joint is through a Belt system secured.

1. Ligamenta collateralia:

Each Finger steering, i.e. three per finger, has two of these ligaments each. In Flexion of the finger they limit it Spreading while they are relaxed in the extended position and thus allow movement.

2. Accessory collateral ligament and Phalangoglenoid ligament:

Lying on the Back of the hand. Due to their constant tension, they limit, for example, the Elongation.

3. Ligamenta palmaria digiti:

Lying on the Palm. Protect the Tendons the flexors of the fingers through their fiber cartilage as a cushion in front of the bone.

There are also tapes that contain the Tendon sheaths, in which the tendons lie, strengthen and Tapesthat through their Cross-linking create a connection between the neighboring metacarpal joints.

Move

The movements of the fingers are different Muscles exercised. That's how they are Forearm muscles rather for powerful Movements in charge while the short hand muscles for the fine motor skills Movements are responsible.

Pain in the finger joints during pregnancy

Finger pain during pregnancy is often caused by a temporary carpal tunnel syndrome. This does not affect the joints themselves, but the transition of the vessels and nerves from the forearm to the palm of the hand.
During pregnancy, the body stores more water than usual. This is particularly noticeable in the arms and legs. This also causes the forearm to swell, which can lead to pressure in the carpal tunnel, which is accompanied by tingling, pain and numbness in the fingers.

Pain in the finger joints in the morning

If the finger joints hurt and feel stiff in the morning, it is often a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
This is an autoimmune disease and causes episodes of chronic inflammation of the finger joints. The so-called morning stiffness usually lasts for over 30 minutes, the fingers are additionally swollen, but often not reddened. Affected are the base and middle joints of the fingers and / or the wrist. The pain also occurs at rest. Rheumatoid arthritis can also be accompanied by night sweats, fever, and muscle pain.
Another possible cause of sore finger joints in the morning can be finger arthrosis. This is triggered by joint wear. Particularly when the joints start moving from rest, severe pain occurs. However, these disappear after a short time when the joints are moved. However, if there is an overload, the finger joints hurt again. In osteoarthritis, the end joints of the fingers and the saddle joint of the thumb are usually affected.

Pain in the finger joints when it is cold

The fingers in particular have a poorer blood supply due to the cold. If rheumatism or osteoarthritis of the fingers is already known, the cold can increase the pain when moving due to temporary reduced blood flow. Another cause of pain in the fingers in cold weather is Raynaud's syndrome.
Raynaud's syndrome does not directly cause pain in the joints but in the whole finger. Due to an unknown cause, as a side effect of other illnesses or side effects of medication, the arteries in the fingers narrow, so that they are no longer adequately supplied with blood. There is temporary pain, but it disappears again in warmth.