What are the bones of the toes called?

The bones of the toes are known as phalanges. This terminology is derived from the Greek word "phalanges," which refers to the rows of soldiers and aptly describes the arrangement of these bones in the fingers and toes. Each toe consists of several phalanges: the big toe has two (a proximal and a distal phalanx), while the other four toes each have three (a proximal, middle, and distal phalanx).

To provide additional context, the metatarsals are the long bones in the middle of the foot that connect the toes to the tarsal bones (the bones of the ankle). The carpals refer to the wrist bones, and the tarsals are a group of bones in the ankle. Each of these has distinct functions and locations within the skeletal system, helping to distinguish why phalanges is the correct term specifically for the bones found in the toes.