Advanced Phalanges Quiz

Q1. Why can loss of extension at an interphalangeal joint contribute to a fixed toe deformity?

• Interphalangeal joints have no soft tissue control
• Muscle and tendon imbalance can produce joint contracture and altered phalangeal alignment
• The metatarsals replace the phalanges
• The phalanges normally fuse during adulthood

Q2. Which joint is typically flexed in a classic hammertoe deformity of a lesser toe?

• First tarsometatarsal joint
• Talonavicular joint
• Proximal interphalangeal joint
• Subtalar joint

Q3. How does a mallet toe deformity differ from a classic hammertoe?

• Mallet toe primarily involves distal interphalangeal flexion
• Mallet toe is a fracture of the calcaneus
• Mallet toe primarily involves the ankle joint
• Mallet toe affects only the metatarsal base

Q4. Why are distal phalanx fractures often associated with nail bed injury?

• The nail bed is attached to the calcaneus
• The distal phalanx lies inside the metatarsal
• The nail is separated from the toe skeleton by a tarsal bone
• The distal phalanx lies directly beneath the terminal nail apparatus

Q5. Why is the hallux interphalangeal joint anatomically different from the lesser toe interphalangeal pattern?

• The hallux has only proximal and distal phalanges
• The hallux has four phalanges
• The hallux lacks a proximal phalanx
• The hallux has no interphalangeal joint

Q6. How can a proximal phalanx fracture affect toe alignment?

• It affects only the ankle mortise
• Malunion can produce angular or rotational deformity
• Phalangeal alignment has no effect on toe position
• It always changes the length of the tibia

Q7. Why are the hallux phalanges especially important during terminal stance?

• They form the subtalar joint
• They suspend the calcaneus from the tibia
• They help form the medial forefoot lever used for propulsion
• They prevent all motion at the first metatarsophalangeal joint

Q8. How do the extensor expansion and intrinsic toe muscles influence phalangeal motion?

• They attach the phalanges directly to the tibia
• They act only on the ankle
• They distribute muscular forces for coordinated toe joint control
• They fuse the phalanges together

Q9. Why can rotational deformity after a toe phalanx fracture be functionally important?

• It can cause abnormal overlap or underlap of adjacent toes
• It causes the fibula to shorten
• It changes the shape of the talus
• It has no effect on toe orientation

Q10. Which statement best integrates the anatomy of the pedal phalanges?

• They form the ankle mortise with the tibia
• They are seven tarsal bones forming the midfoot
• They are five bones located only in the hindfoot
• They form the toe skeleton and integrate joint motion, tendon forces, balance, and propulsion