dedos

Dedos is the term used in Spanish and Portuguese to refer to the digits of the hands and feet. In everyday language, it typically denotes the fingers of the hands, though the expression can also refer to the toes when context specifies "dedos de los pies" or "dedos dos pés."

Anatomy and variation: In humans, each hand has five digits: the thumb and four fingers. Each finger, except the thumb, usually consists of three phalanges (proximal, middle, distal); the thumb has two (proximal and distal). The toes are analogous, with the big toe typically having two phalanges and the other toes usually three. Digits attach to the metacarpal and metatarsal bones and are joined by multiple joints, including the knuckles (metacarpophalangeal joints) and the interphalangeal joints. The fingertips bear nails and possess dense sensory receptors that contribute to touch and grip. Fingerprints arise from skin ridges on the fingertips.

Function: Digits enable manipulation, precision grip, and balance. The thumb’s opposability allows grasping and handling of objects with fine control, while the other digits provide stabilization and strength in various grips and locomotion.

Clinical notes: Most people have ten digits on the hands and ten on the feet, but congenital variations such as polydactyly (extra digits) or syndactyly (fused digits) can occur. Traumatic injuries include fractures of the phalanges, joint dislocations, and tendon or ligament injuries, which may affect dexterity and sensation.