Interphalangeal

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A joint that connects the phalanges of the fingers or toes, enabling movement between these digital bones
2. An anatomical junction situated between the bones of the fingers or toes that facilitates limited flexion and extension
3. A joint found between the bones of the fingers or toes that allows bending and straightening

Etymology: "Interphalangeal" is a plain anatomical compound, built in English from two parts: the Latin prefix "inter-", meaning "between" or "among", and "phalangeal", the adjective from "phalanx" used for the bones of the fingers and toes. The Greek "phalanx" originally meant a tight battle formation of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder, and anatomists borrowed the image because the small bones of a digit are stacked in a row, one behind another, much like a line of troops. The prefix "inter-" has a long pedigree. It comes from the ancient root meaning "between" that also gave Latin "inter" directly, so the word's first element is an old and familiar one, while the whole term is a modern technical coinage. It describes the joints lying between the phalanges, the segments of the fingers and thumb.