Interphalangeal Articulations of Hand

Interphalangeal Articulations Of Hand

The interphalangeal articulations of the hand are the hinge joints between the phalanges of the hand (i.e. the finger bones).

There are two sets (except in the thumb):

• "proximal interphalangeal joints" (PIJ or PIP), those between the first (also called proximal) and second (intermediate) phalanges
• "distal interphalangeal joints" (DIJ or DIP), those between the second and third (distal) phalanges

Anatomically, the proximal and distal interphalangeal articulations are very similar. There are some minor differences in how the volar plates are attached proximally and in the segmentation of the flexor tendon sheath, but the major differences are the smaller dimension and reduced mobility of the distal joint.