What term describes the area or finger joint located adjacent to the palm?

The term that describes the area or finger joint located adjacent to the palm is the proximal phalangeal zone. This zone refers specifically to the area on the finger that is nearest to the hand, situated just above the metacarpal bones which connect the fingers to the hand.

In terms of anatomy, the proximal phalanx is the first bone in each finger that follows the metacarpal, and it serves as the base for the various movements of the finger. Understanding this anatomical structure is crucial for latent print examiners because the location and condition of prints can vary significantly depending on which part of the finger is involved. The other choices refer to different phalangeal zones or areas that are not immediately adjacent to the palm. For instance, the distal phalangeal zone pertains to the tip of the fingers, and the intermediate phalangeal zone is located between the proximal and distal phalanges. The metacarpal zone refers to the area of the bones directly connected to the palm, which again is different from the proximal phalangeal zone.