Phalanx bone The proximal phalanges join with the metacarpals of the hand or metatarsals of the foot at the metacarpophalangeal joint or metatarsophalangeal joint. The intermediate phalanx is not only intermediate in location, but usually also in size. The thumb and large toe do not possess a middle phalanx. The distal phalanges are the bones at the tips of the fingers or toes. The proximal, intermediate, and distal phalanges articulate with one another through interphalangeal articulations. Each phalanx consists of a central part, called the "body", and two extremities. In the foot, the proximal phalanges have a body that is compressed from
Vancleavea parts of the hand. The second metacarpal is longer, and the third and fourth are tied for the longest bones of the hand. Unguals (claws) have not been found, and the rounded ends of certain phalanges indicates that "Vancleavea" likely did not possess them. As with other reptiles, each hip of "Vancleavea" is formed by three plate-like bones: the illium (above the hip socket), the pubis (in front of the hip socket), and the ischium (behind the hip socket). The illium of "Vancleavea" is particularly unusual. Most archosauriforms have illia which are somewhat low, directed from front to back (anteroposteriorly).