The fore limbs also preserve the major and minor metacarpals as well as the finger bones showing a phalangeal formula of 2-3-2.
The ratio of successive phalangeal bones of the digits and the metacarpal bone has been said to approximate the golden ratio.
The phalangeal formula, which states the number of digit bones (phalanges) beginning with the innermost digit, is 2-2-2-1-0.
The phalangeal formula is 2-2-2-2-1, meaning that the innermost finger of the forelimb has two bones, the next has two, etc.
Wide articular surfaces should be narrowed and phalangeal wedge osteotomies may be required to provide an axial alignment.
Most commonly it affects metatarsal phalangeal joint of the foot.
The phalangeal joints of the index finger, however, offer some independence to its finger, due to the arrangement of its flexor and extension tendons.
The primary striking surface is the ridge formed by folding the fingers at the first phalangeal joint; the secondary striking surface is the palm hand.
