The distal phalanx is the bone at the tip of which body part?

• A. The bone at the tip of the finger
• B. The bone in the wrist
• C. The bone at the base of the finger
• D. The bone in the palm

Answer: (A)

The distal phalanx is the bone at the tip of the finger. Each finger has three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal) that form the finger’s segments, with the distal phalanx ending at the fingertip and supporting the nail bed. The only exception is the thumb, which has only two phalanges (proximal and distal). This is different from the bones at the wrist (carpal bones), the base of the finger (proximal phalanx near the metacarpals), or the bones in the palm (metacarpals). So, the distal phalanx being at the fingertip is the best description.