All Topics  
Hallux

 
Hallux

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Hallux
 
 
  Topics Hallux Topic Home

The hallux, commonly referred to as the big toe (also as great toe or thumb toe), although it may not be the longest toe on the foot of some people, is the innermost toe
Toe

Toes are the Digit s of the foot of an animal. Many animal species such as cats walk on their toes, and are described as being digitigrade....
 of the foot
Foot

The foot is an anatomical structure found in many animals. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws or nails....
. It is counted as digit I (one). The name stems from the Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 for the same, similar to the pollex, which refers to the thumb
Thumb

The thumb is the Human_anatomical_terms#Anatomical_directions-most finger of the hand. The English adjective for thumb is pollical....
.

In humans, the hallux is longer than the second or pointer toe for a majority of people.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Hallux'
Start a new discussion about 'Hallux'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


The hallux, commonly referred to as the big toe (also as great toe or thumb toe), although it may not be the longest toe on the foot of some people, is the innermost toe
Toe

Toes are the Digit s of the foot of an animal. Many animal species such as cats walk on their toes, and are described as being digitigrade....
 of the foot
Foot

The foot is an anatomical structure found in many animals. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws or nails....
. It is counted as digit I (one). The name stems from the Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 for the same, similar to the pollex, which refers to the thumb
Thumb

The thumb is the Human_anatomical_terms#Anatomical_directions-most finger of the hand. The English adjective for thumb is pollical....
.

In humans, the hallux is longer than the second or pointer toe for a majority of people. This is an inherited
Mendelian inheritance

Mendelian inheritance is a set of primary tenets relating to the transmission of heredity characteristics from parent organisms to their children; it underlies much of genetics....
 trait in humans, where the dominant
Dominance relationship

In genetics, dominance describes the effects of the different versions of a particular gene on the phenotype of an organism. Many animals and plants have diploid in their genome, one inherited from each parent....
 gene causes a longer second toe ("Morton's toe
Morton's toe

Morton's Toe is the common term for the second toe extending further than the Hallux. Morton's Toe is typically due to a lengthened second metatarsal....
") while the homozygous
Zygosity

In genetics, zygosity refers to the similarity or dissimilarity of the DNA sequences in specific coding segments, or genes, on the homologous chromosomes chromosomes of a zygote, or fertilisation ovum....
 recessive genotype presents with the more common trait: a longer hallux. People with the rare genetic disease fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is an extremely rare disease of the connective tissue. A mutation of the body's repair mechanism causes fibrous tissue to be ossification when damaged....
 characteristically have short big toes.

In bird
Bird

Birds are wing, Bipedalismal, endothermic , vertebrate animals that lay egg . There are around 10,000 living species, making them the most numerous tetrapod vertebrates....
s with anisodactyl or heterodactyl feet, the hallux is opposed or directed backwards and allows for grasping and perching.

Problems

A common problem involving the big toe is the formation of bunion
Bunion

File:Hammerzehen-vorher.jpgA bunion is a structural deformity of the bones and the joint between the foot and big toe, and may be painful.A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe .The big toe may turn in toward the second toe , and the tissues surrounding the joint may be swollen and tender....
s (or Hallux valgus), an abnormal enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the toe.

The big toe is also the most common locus of ingrown nail
Ingrown nail

Onychocryptosis is a common form of nail disease. It is an often painful condition in which the nail grows so that it cuts into one or both sides of the Nail #Parts of the fingernail....
s and gout
Gout

Gout is a crystal deposition disease hallmarked by elevated levels of uric acid in the Circulatory system. In this condition, crystals of monosodium urate or uric acid are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues....
 attacks.

The hallux is also used for balance in the human body.

See also

  • Podiatry
    Podiatry

    Podiatry is a branch of healthcare devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.Within the United Kingdom, the titles ?podiatrist? and ?chiropodist? are to some extent interchangeable....


External links

  • complete text online in PDF files