Is 'phalange' a common word?

No, it is a low-frequency, technical term. Most people say 'finger bone' or 'toe bone' in everyday situations.

What's the difference between 'phalange' and 'Falange'?

'Phalange' (usually lowercase) refers to a bone. 'Falange' (often capitalized) refers specifically to the Spanish Fascist party or similar political groups.

How many phalanges are in a human hand?

There are 14 phalanges in each hand: three in each finger (proximal, middle, distal) and two in the thumb (proximal and distal).

Can I use 'phalange' in casual conversation?

It would sound very technical and possibly pretentious. Using 'bone in my finger/toe' is the natural choice for general communication.

Is “phalange” formal?

Phalange is usually technical/medical/historical in register.

How do you pronounce “phalange”?

Phalange: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfælændʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfeɪˌlændʒ/ & /ˈfælændʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

phalange: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1/C2 (Low frequency; primarily technical, medical, or historical contexts)

UK/ˈfælændʒ/US/ˈfeɪˌlændʒ/ & /ˈfælændʒ/

Technical/Medical/Historical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “phalange” mean?

Any of the bones of the fingers or toes.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Any of the bones of the fingers or toes.

In historical/military contexts, a close-order infantry formation used in ancient Greece. In some political contexts, refers to right-wing nationalist groups (e.g., Spanish Falange).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in core anatomical meaning. The historical/political sense is equally rare in both varieties.

Connotations

Neutral and technical in anatomy. Can carry strong political/historical connotations when used in that specific context.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in general language. Almost exclusive to medical, anatomical, biological, or historical texts.

Grammar

How to Use “phalange” in a Sentence

The [finger/toe] contains three phalanges.He fractured a [distal] phalange.The [ancient] phalange was a formidable formation.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

distal phalangeproximal phalangemiddle phalangefractured phalangephalange bone

medium

bone of the phalangeinjured phalangephalange of the toe

weak

small phalangelong phalangebroken phalange

Examples

Examples of “phalange” in a Sentence

noun

British English

The surgeon carefully realigned the fractured phalange.
The Greek phalange advanced in a tight formation.

American English

The X-ray revealed a clean break in the distal phalange.
A diagram showed each phalange in the thumb.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in medical, anatomical, biological, and history papers.

Everyday

Extremely rare; 'finger bone' is used instead.

Technical

Standard precise term in anatomy, osteology, and palaeontology.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “phalange”

Strong

phalanges (plural)digital bones

Neutral

finger bonetoe bonedigit bone

Weak

bone segmentdigit segment

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “phalange”

metacarpal (hand)metatarsal (foot)carpal (wrist)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “phalange”

Using 'phalange' as a plural (the plural is 'phalanges').
Misspelling as 'falange' (correct only for specific political groups).
Pronouncing it /fəˈlændʒ/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it is a low-frequency, technical term. Most people say 'finger bone' or 'toe bone' in everyday situations.
: 'Phalange' (usually lowercase) refers to a bone. 'Falange' (often capitalized) refers specifically to the Spanish Fascist party or similar political groups.
: There are 14 phalanges in each hand: three in each finger (proximal, middle, distal) and two in the thumb (proximal and distal).
: It would sound very technical and possibly pretentious. Using 'bone in my finger/toe' is the natural choice for general communication.
: Any of the bones of the fingers or toes.
: Phalange is usually technical/medical/historical in register.
: Phalange: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfælændʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfeɪˌlændʒ/ & /ˈfælændʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“None”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'PHAlange = PHAlanges are in Fingers And toes.'

Conceptual Metaphor

A BUILDING BLOCK of the digit; a COLUMN of soldiers (historical sense).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In human anatomy, the fingers and toes consist of multiple small bones called .

Multiple Choice

What is the correct plural form of 'phalange'?