palców

Palec is a Polish term that refers to any digit of the hand or the foot. The form palców is the genitive plural, used in medical and descriptive contexts to denote multiple digits, for example in phrases such as urazy palców dłoni (injuries of the fingers) or deformities of palców stóp. Normally, the human hand and foot each contain five palce, with the thumb and big toe being the most distinct in structure and naming.

Anatomically, each finger consists of three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal), except the thumb, which has two. These phalanges are connected to the corresponding metacarpal bones via the metacarpophalangeal joints, and adjacent phalanges meet at interphalangeal joints. The toes have a similar arrangement, with metatarsophalangeal joints and interphalangeal joints; the big toe typically has two phalanges. The digits are supplied by nerves and blood vessels that provide fine touch, temperature, and proprioceptive feedback essential for grip and locomotion.

Functionally, palce enable grasping, manipulating objects, and providing balance and weight distribution during standing and walking. They also house specialized skin receptors that contribute to texture sensing and fine motor control. Variations can occur, including polydactyly (extra digits) and syndactyly (fusion of adjacent digits). Common injuries involve fractures or dislocations of phalanges, soft tissue damage, and injuries to tendons or nerves.