Foot
11492
225912430
2008-07-15T23:57:29Z
Useight
2910303
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/98.165.224.110|98.165.224.110]] to last version by Rich Farmbrough (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{otheruses}}
The '''foot''' is a structure found in many animals that is used for
[[Walking|locomotion]]. In many animals, 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.
==General forms==
[[Image:HoofRearHooves.jpg|thumb|200px|left|An example of [[unguligrade]] feet, the hooves of a horse]]
Among land animals, some [[arthropods]] and all [[vertebrates]] have complex foot organs. The arthropod foot is known as a [[Arthropod leg|tarsus]], and is [[Distal#Proximal_and_distal|distal]] to the [[Arthropod leg|tibia]]. In primitive insects, the tarsus was a single segment, but in more highly evolved insects the tarsus is composed of up to five segments, generally bearing claws as well.
The feet of terrestrial [[vertebrates]], called [[tetrapods]], first [[evolved]] in [[amphibians]] from the [[Pectoral_fin#Fins|fins]] of their aquatic ancestors, [[fish]] that ventured out of the water as early as 370 million years ago, in the Upper [[Devonian Period]], perhaps to avoid predation and exploit the greater resource availability on land. The fore- and hindlimbs of these earliest tetrapods evolved from the [[Pectoral_fin#Fins|pectoral]] and [[Pectoral_fin#Fins|pelvic]] fins of their fish ancestors, but early forms of feet such as those of ''[[Ichthyostega]]'' already contained the basic shape of the foot still possessed by tetrapods (although early tetrapods often had more than five digits, the most common form of foot in extant tetrapods).<ref>Klenerman and Wood, ''Human Foot'', 1-4</ref>
The feet of terrestrial vertebrates are characterized as [[plantigrade]], [[digitigrade]], or [[unguligrade]]. In plantigrade animals, such as [[frogs]], [[bears]], and humans, the bottom of the entire foot supports the weight of the animal. In [[digitigrade]] animals, such as [[wolves]] and [[birds]], the toes bear the animal's weight, while the upper regions of the foot, the ankle and wrist, remain elevated. Finally, in unguligrade animals, such as cows or horses, even the toes are elevated, the animal standing only atop its nails, which have evolved to bear weight and are called [[hooves]].
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = pes |
GraySubject = |
GrayPage = |
Image = foot.png |
Caption = A human foot - Enlarge to view legend |
Image2 = |
Caption2 = |
Width = 214 |
Precursor = |
System = |
Artery = [[dorsalis pedis artery|dorsalis pedis]], [[medial plantar artery|medial plantar]], [[lateral plantar artery|lateral plantar]] |
Vein = |
Nerve = [[medial plantar nerve|medial plantar]], [[lateral plantar nerve|lateral plantar]], [[Deep fibular nerve|deep fibular]], [[Superficial fibular nerve|superficial fibular]] |
Lymph = |
MeshName = Foot |
MeshNumber = A01.378.610.250 |
DorlandsPre = |
DorlandsSuf = |
}}
The human foot is of the plantigrade form. The bottom of the foot is called the sole and the area just behind the toes is called the [[ball(anatomy)|ball]]. The skin at the sole of the foot is denser than any other skin on the human body. The evolution of man has seen the density of the sole of the foot increase as man developed the ability to walk using the legs only.
==Bones==
[[Image:William_Cheselden_feet.jpg|thumb|right|The bones of the human foot]]
The major bones in the human foot are:
*[[Phalanx bones|Phalanges]]: The bones in the [[toe]]s are called phalanges.
*[[Metatarsus|Metatarsals]]: The bones in the middle of the foot are called metatarsal bones.
*[[Cuneiform (anatomy)|Cuneiforms]]: There are three bones in the middle of the foot, towards the centre of the body, called cuneiforms.
*[[Cuboid bone|Cuboid]]: The bone sitting adjacent to the cuneiforms on the outside of the foot is called the cuboid.
*[[Navicular bone|Navicular]]: This bone sits behind the cuneiforms.
*[[Talus bone|Talus]]: Also called the ankle bone, the talus sits directly behind the navicular.
*[[Calcaneus]]: Also called the heel bone, the calcaneus sits under the talus and behind the cuboid.
The foot also contains [[sesamoid bone]]s in the distal portion of the [[first metatarsal bone]].
==Articulations== <!--Articulations of foot redirects here-->
The [[articulation]]s of the foot are:
#[[ankle]]
#[[intertarsal articulations]]
#[[metatarsophalangeal articulations]]
#[[interphalangeal articulations of foot]]
==Muscles==
{{Main|Muscles of foot}}
The muscles of the foot include:
*Dorsal
**[[extensor digitorum brevis]]
**[[extensor hallucis brevis]]
*Plantar
**[[abductor hallucis]]
**[[flexor digitorum brevis]]
**[[abductor digiti minimi]]
**[[quadratus plantae]]
**[[lumbrical muscle]]
**[[flexor hallucis brevis]]
**[[adductor hallucis]]
**[[flexor digiti minimi brevis]]
**[[dorsal interossei]]
**[[plantar interossei]]
==Blood supply==
[[Image:Gray555.png|thumb|right|The deep plantar arteries of the human foot]]
*Arterial
**Dorsal
***[[Dorsalis pedis]]
***[[Lateral tarsal artery]]
***[[Arcuate artery]]
***[[Deep plantar artery]]
***[[Metatarsal arteries]]
***[[Dorsal digital arteries]]
**Plantar
***[[Medial plantar artery]]
***[[Lateral plantar artery]]
***[[Deep plantar arch]]
***[[Perforating arteries]]
***[[Plantar metatarsal arteries]]
***[[Plantar digital arteries]]
*Venous
**[[Dorsal metatarsal veins]]
**[[Dorsal venous arch]]
**[[Plantar venous arch]]
**[[Plantar digital veins]]
**[[Dorsal digital veins]]
==Arches==
{{Main|Arches of the foot}}
==Culture==
In different cultures, feet are perceived and treated differently.
* In [[China]], between the tenth and twentieth centuries the practice of female [[foot binding]] was used to stop the growth of feet, resulting in an aesthetically preferred though deformed foot.
* In [[Middle East]]ern societies, female feet are considered to be beautiful organs that need constant care. Among the popular activities related to the feet in the Middle East are [[henna]] drawing and wearing of [[anklet]]s.
* Within several [[Christian]] denominations, [[foot washing]] is a religious [[ritual]] originating in Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet at the [[Last Supper]].
* [[Foot fetishism]] is a sexual interest and preoccupation with feet and [[hosiery]]. Playing [[footsie]] means people rubbing each other's feet, and can have sexual connotations, while a [[foot job]] is a sex act involving the feet.
==Customs==
{{Refimprove|date=August 2007}}
[[Image:Soles2.jpg|thumb|The [[sole (foot)|soles]] of a male (left) and female (right) foot.]]
Customs about [[footwear]] while indoors vary significantly from place to place and usually depend on climate, weather, and other factors:
*It is customary to remove one's footwear when entering a home:
**in much of [[Europe]] and [[Canada]], and in many homes in [[New Zealand]], [[Ethiopia]] and [[Australia]].
**in [[Korea]] and [[Japan]] the custom is so widespread that floors are often made of materials that are too soft to survive being walked on with shoes.
* In some cultures, bare feet may be considered unsightly or offensive. In [[Thailand]], it is considered extremely offensive to show someone the sole of your foot, although the practice of [[Barefoot|going barefoot]] is common, due to various reasons including hot climate and tradition.
* In many religious subgroups of Uzbekistan, touching another's foot is a sign of affection. However, more conservative families consider this to be an act of promiscuity.
*Regardless of covering, according to {{ml|Culture_of_Thailand|Customs|Thai norms}} feet are the least respected parts of the body; they should not be in a higher position than someone's head and should not face someone or an image of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]].
* The feet are one of the most common places to be [[tickling|tickled]] on the human body. The [[Sole (foot)|soles]] generally tend to be sensitive to [[tickling]], although other places (such as the [[toe]]s) are often found to be ticklish as well.
==Customary measurement==
One way to measure short distances on the ground is by placing one foot directly in front of the other; this apparently led to the adoption of the [[foot (length)|foot as a unit of length]]. The standardised [[Imperial units|Imperial]] "foot" (304.8 mm) is, however, more than typical length of the a man's foot. The average modern man's foot is less than 270 mm and 90% of the population is within 20 mm of that.{{cn}} Even the overall length of most shoes remains well short of one "foot". Tradition has it that the Imperial foot was based upon the size of [[Hercules|Hercules']] foot.{{cn}}
==Medical aspects==
Due to their position and function, feet are exposed to a variety of potential infections and injuries, including [[athlete's foot]], [[bunion]]s, [[Ingrown nail|ingrown toenails]], [[Morton's neuroma]], [[plantar fasciitis]], [[plantar wart]]s and [[stress fracture]]s. In addition, there are several genetic conditions that can affect the shape and function of the feet, including a [[club foot]] or [[flat feet]].
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of the feet practices [[podiatry]] and is called a [[podiatrist]]. A [[pedorthist]] specializes in the use and modification of footwear to treat problems related to the lower limbs.
[[Reflexology]] is an [[alternative therapy]] which involves the stimulation of the nerves and skin of the feet to improve a person's health.
==Notes==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
==References==
*Klenerman, Leslie, and Wood, Bernard. ''The Human Foot: A Companion to Clinical Studies''. 2006, Springer. ISBN 185233925X.
==External links==
{{commons}}
{{wiktionary}}
* [http://www.podiatryworldwide.com '''Podiatry Worldwide Directory Homepage''']
* {{dmoz|/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Musculoskeletal_Disorders/Feet/}}
* [http://www.foottrainer.com/foot/ Anatomical illustrations]
* [http://www.healblog.net/body/6-powerful-feet-hygiene-tips/ Foot hygiene tips]
{{human anatomical features}}
{{Lower limb general}}
[[Category:Foot|*]]
[[af:Voet]]
[[ar:قدم]]
[[an:Piet]]
[[ast:Pie (anatomía)]]
[[ay:Kayu]]
[[ca:Peu]]
[[cy:Troed]]
[[de:Fuß]]
[[eml:Pà]]
[[es:Pie (anatomía)]]
[[eo:Piedo]]
[[fa:پا]]
[[fr:Pied (anatomie)]]
[[ko:발]]
[[is:Fótur]]
[[it:Piede (anatomia)]]
[[he:כף רגל]]
[[hr:Stopalo]]
[[la:Pes]]
[[lt:Pėda]]
[[ml:പാദം]]
[[ms:Kaki]]
[[nl:Voet (anatomie)]]
[[ja:足]]
[[no:Fot (kroppsdel)]]
[[nn:Fot]]
[[oc:Pè]]
[[nds:Foot]]
[[pl:Stopa (anatomia)]]
[[pt:Pé]]
[[qu:Chaki]]
[[ru:Стопа (анатомия)]]
[[simple:Foot]]
[[sl:Stopalo]]
[[fi:Jalkaterä]]
[[sv:Fot]]
[[te:పాదము]]
[[th:เท้า]]
[[tg:Пой]]
[[tr:Ayak (organ)]]
[[uk:Стопа (анатомія)]]
[[ur:فٹ]]
[[fiu-vro:Labajalg]]
[[yi:פוס]]
[[zh:脚]]