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Toes are the digit
Digit (anatomy)

A digit is one of several most proximal parts of a limb, present in many vertebrates....
s 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....
 of an animal. Many animal species such as cat
Cat

The cat , also known as the Domestication cat or house cat to distinguish it from other Felinae and Felidae, is a small predationy carnivore species of crepuscular mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin, snakes, scorpions, and other unwanted household pests....
s walk on their toes, and are described as being digitigrade
Digitigrade

A digitigrade is an animal that stands or walks on its digits, or toes. Digitigrades include walking birds , cats, dogs, and most other mammals, but not humans, bears, and a few others ....
. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are plantigrade
Plantigrade

In mammals, plantigrade locomotion means walking with the podials and metatarsals flat on the ground.Primates are examples of plantigrade species; in humans, the podials and metatarsals constitute the sole of the foot....
; unguligrade animals are those that walk on hooves
Hoof

File:Horse rear hooves.jpgA hoof is the tip of a toe of an ungulate mammal, strengthened by a thick horny covering. The hoof consists of a hard or rubbery sole, and a hard wall formed by a thick Nail rolled around the tip of the toe....
 at the tips of their toes.

The toes are, from medial to lateral:

anatomy of the human foot consists of numerous bones and soft tissues which support the weight of the upright human.






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Toes
Toes are the digit
Digit (anatomy)

A digit is one of several most proximal parts of a limb, present in many vertebrates....
s 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....
 of an animal. Many animal species such as cat
Cat

The cat , also known as the Domestication cat or house cat to distinguish it from other Felinae and Felidae, is a small predationy carnivore species of crepuscular mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin, snakes, scorpions, and other unwanted household pests....
s walk on their toes, and are described as being digitigrade
Digitigrade

A digitigrade is an animal that stands or walks on its digits, or toes. Digitigrades include walking birds , cats, dogs, and most other mammals, but not humans, bears, and a few others ....
. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are plantigrade
Plantigrade

In mammals, plantigrade locomotion means walking with the podials and metatarsals flat on the ground.Primates are examples of plantigrade species; in humans, the podials and metatarsals constitute the sole of the foot....
; unguligrade animals are those that walk on hooves
Hoof

File:Horse rear hooves.jpgA hoof is the tip of a toe of an ungulate mammal, strengthened by a thick horny covering. The hoof consists of a hard or rubbery sole, and a hard wall formed by a thick Nail rolled around the tip of the toe....
 at the tips of their toes.

The toes are, from medial to lateral:
  • Hallux
    Hallux

    The hallux, commonly referred to as the big toe , although it may not be the longest toe on the foot of some people, is the innermost toe of the foot....
     (big toe)
  • Index toe
  • Middle toe
  • Fourth toe
  • Little toe
    Fifth toe

    The fifth toe is the smallest toe of the foot.It is associated with many medical conditions, largely due to the use of shoes.It is comprised of the fifth metatarsal bone and its associated phalanges of the foot....
     (Colloquially known as the Pinky toe or the Baby toe in the USA)


Toe anatomy and physiology

Gray269
The anatomy of the human foot consists of numerous bones and soft tissues which support the weight of the upright human. The toes specifically assist the human while walking
Walking

Walking is the main form of animal locomotion on Earth, distinguished from running and crawling . When carried out in shallow waters, it is usually described as wading and when performed over a steeply rising object or an obstacle it becomes scrambling or climbing....
, providing balance, weight-bearing, and thrust during the gait
Gait

Gait is the pattern of movement of the limbs of terrestrial animals during locomotion. Most animals use a variety of gaits, selecting gait based on speed, terrain, the need to maneuver, and energetic efficiency....
. Toe bones articulate around the metatarsal bones which make up the central portion of the human foot. Movements are generally instigated via tendons actuated by muscles in the lower leg.

Humans typically have five toes. Exceptions include polydactyly
Polydactyly

Polydactyly or polydactylism , also known as hyperdactyly, is a congenital disorder consisting of supernumerary body part fingers or toes....
 (too many toes), and syndactyly
Syndactyly

Syndactyly is a condition where two or more digits are fused together. It occurs normally in some mammals, such as the siamang but is an unusual condition in humans....
 or amputation
Amputation

Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by Physical trauma or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as cancer or gangrene....
 (too few toes). The four smallest toes consist of four phalanx bones, while the largest consists of three phananx bones and two sesamoid bones. Many of the flexor tendons are shared, making it impossible to move individual toes independently; however, some prehensility
Prehensility

Prehensility is the quality of an appendage or organ that has Adaptation for grasping or holding. The word is derived from the Latin term prehendere, meaning "to grasp."...
, or grasping capability, does exist for most humans.

Forefoot shape, including toe shape, exhibits significant variation among people; these differences can be measured and has been statistically correlated with ethnicity. Such deviations may affect comfort and fit for various shoe types. Research conducted by Freedman for the U.S. Army indicated that larger feet may still have smaller arches, toe length, and toe-breadth. Specifically measurable toe and forefoot metrics for humans include:
  • height
  • breadth and girth
  • ball length
    Ball (anatomy)

    The ball of the foot is where the toes join with the rest of the foot. It is muscular and easily blistered.Dancers and runners often move with their weight on the balls of their feet for better balance....
  • digital pattern
  • heel to toe length
  • footprint
    Footprint

    Footprints are the impressions or images left behind by a person walking. Hoofprints and pawprints are those left by animals with hoof or paws rather than foot, while "shoeprints" is the specific term for prints made by shoes....
     layout
Each of these metrics has been correlated to particular ethnic groups, but absolute deviations in dimensions are relatively small; such deviations may or may not be practically significant from the ergonomic or comfort standpoint.

Injuries

A sprain or strain to the small interphalangeal joints
Interphalangeal articulations of foot

The interphalangeal articulations of the foot are ginglymoid joints, and each has a plantar and two collateral ligaments.The arrangement of these ligaments is similar to that in the metatarsophalangeal articulations: the Extensor tendons supply the places of dorsal ligaments....
 of the toe is commonly called a stubbed toe. A sprain or strain where the toe joins to the foot is called turf toe
Turf toe

A Metatarsophalangeal articulations sprain is an injury to the joint and connective tissue between the foot and one of the toes. When the hallux is involved, it is known as "turf toe"....
. A 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....
 is a structural deformity of the bones and the joint
Joint

A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally....
 between the foot and big toe, and may be painful. Long-term use of improperly sized shoes can cause misalignment of toes, as well as other orthopedic problems.

See also


  • Ainhum
    Ainhum

    Ainhum is a painful constriction of the base of the fifth toe frequently followed by bilateral spontaneous amputation a few years later. The disease occurs predominantly in black Africans and their descendants....
  • Phalanges of the foot
    Phalanges of the foot

    The phalanges of the foot correspond, in number and general arrangement, with those of the hand; there are two in the big toe, and three in each of the other toes....
  • Finger
    Finger

    A finger is a type of digit , an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates.Normally humans have five digits, termed phalanges, on each hand ....
    , for the hand
    Hand

    The hands are the two intricate, prehensile, multi-fingered body parts normally located at the end of each arm of a human or other primate. They are the chief organs for physically manipulating the environment, using anywhere from the roughest motor skills to the finest , and since the fingertips contain some of the densest areas of nerve e...
     digits
  • Hallux
    Hallux

    The hallux, commonly referred to as the big toe , although it may not be the longest toe on the foot of some people, is the innermost toe of the foot....
  • 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....
  • Polydactyly
    Polydactyly

    Polydactyly or polydactylism , also known as hyperdactyly, is a congenital disorder consisting of supernumerary body part fingers or toes....
     and Syndactyly
    Syndactyly

    Syndactyly is a condition where two or more digits are fused together. It occurs normally in some mammals, such as the siamang but is an unusual condition in humans....
  • Toe cleavage
    Toe cleavage

    Toe cleavage is the partial exposure of a woman's toes in shoes that are cut low enough at the wikt:vamp. Low cut shoes reveal toe cleavage similar to how low cut tops reveal cleavage ....
  • Toe tag
    Toe tag

    A toe tag is a piece of cardboard normally attached with string to the big toe of a Death person in a morgue. It is used for identification purposes, allowing the Funeral director to correctly identify Body....
  • Toe nail
  • Webbed toes
    Webbed toes

    Webbed toes is the common name for syndactyly affecting the feet. It is characterised by the fusion of two or more digits of the feet. This is normal in many birds, such as ducks; amphibians, such as frogs; and mammals, such as kangaroos....