Toe

Toe

The toe is one of the five digits located at the end of the human foot. Each toe consists of several bones, the most notable of which are the three phalanges. The toes play a crucial role in maintaining balance, walking, and running.

Anatomy

Each toe, with the exception of the big toe, has three phalanges: the proximal, middle, and distal. The big toe, or hallux, only has two: the proximal and distal. These bones are connected by joints, which are surrounded by ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Bones

The bones of the toes are called phalanges. Each toe, except for the big toe, has three phalanges: a proximal, a middle, and a distal phalanx. The big toe only has a proximal and a distal phalanx.

Muscles

The toes contain several muscles, which provide the ability to flex, extend, abduct, and adduct the toes. These muscles are divided into two groups: the extrinsic muscles, which originate in the lower leg, and the intrinsic muscles, which originate in the foot.

Function

The toes play a crucial role in maintaining balance, walking, and running. They provide support and allow for the fine adjustments needed for movement. The big toe, in particular, plays a significant role in propulsion and balance.

Health and disease

There are many conditions that can affect the toes, including bunions, corns, ingrown toenails, hammer toe, and gout. These conditions can cause pain, difficulty walking, and other complications.

See also

• Foot
• Human skeleton
• Podiatry

Toe Resources
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