The function of the feet is as often underestimated as the diseases that can affect them. With evolution, feet have anatomically adapted to walk upright. According to studies, human foot shapes vary by region and country.
What are the feet?
The Latin term for feet is “pes.” They refer to the, sitting at the end of the lowest leg section, movable units in terrestrial vertebrates and humans. The feet consist of the tarsus, the metatarsus and five toes. Anatomically, they are very complex due to evolutionary adaptation and take on a variety of functions. They are often among the parts of the body that receive the least attention. As a result, diseases and ailments of the feet are not uncommon. There are typical foot diseases in men and women. This is related to footwear and different body care.
Anatomy and structure
Feet consist of a bony framework, surrounding muscles, and ligaments and tendons. The metatarsus consists of the ball of the foot, the sole, the heel, the arch and the outer edge. The top of the foot is referred to as the instep. The medically used term for the outer edge is instep. The Latin term for the toes is digiti pedis, while the tarsus is called tarsus and the metatarsus is called metatarsus. Each foot consists of 26 bones and two so-called sesamoid bones. Sesamoid bones are bones embedded in tendons that serve as additional spacers. Thus, the foot contains just under a quarter of the 206 to 215 bones found in the human body. In terms of muscles, there are long and short foot muscles. The former attach to the thigh, while the short foot muscles are located on the foot skeleton itself. Different foot shapes are distinguished based on the ratio of the second toe to the big toe. If the second toe is shorter, the physician speaks of an Egyptian foot. A Greek foot is a foot in which the big toe is longer. In a Roman foot, both toes are the same length.
Function and tasks
The arch of the foot is maintained by ligaments. The longitudinal and transverse arches support the weight of the body through the heel, ball of the big toe and ball of the little toe. While the heel bears about 33% of the body’s weight, the front ball of the foot takes over about 30%. 15% falls on the outer edge of the foot. The rest is distributed among the toes. On average, the big toe takes over 5%, while the other toes bear the remaining 7%. The fat body of the sole of the foot has a cushioning effect. As a result, it cushions weight during walking and prevents impact damage to the spine and joints. The foot muscles are in turn responsible for the movement of the foot. The high density of receptors in the sole of the foot and toes regulates the sense of touch. While grasping with the feet has regressed in humans, the apes related to us use the feet for this purpose. In humans, the feet are responsible for upright gait. The feet are responsible for a large part of the regulation of balance. People who lose their little toe in an accident, for example, have difficulty walking at first. They lack the lateral receptors that prevent them from twisting.
Diseases and complaints
The complaints and medical conditions that affect the feet range from infections to inflammations to deformities. In most cases, those affected are to blame for the complaints themselves. Frequent wearing of non-fitting shoes can lead to deformations of the feet. These include, for example, bony pull-outs of the heel bone (heel spur) and the so-called hallux valgus. This is a bending of the big toe in the direction of the other toes. Flat, flat and splay feet affect the arch of the foot. They are caused by a lowering of the arch. If the arch of the foot is too pronounced, the physician speaks of a hollow foot or pes cavus. Another term is pes excavatus. Everyday complaints include calluses and ingrown or brittle toenails. Incorrect cutting or filing of the nails often results in inflammation of the nail bed or surrounding skin. If the protective barrier of the feet is damaged, fungal infestation (athlete’s foot) is not uncommon. The risk of infection is particularly high in public damp areas such as swimming pools or saunas. The warm, humid climate that prevails in shoes in summer favors the spread of germs. Corns are favored by tight shoes. In percentage terms, they occur more frequently in women.Tumors can also occur in the area of the feet. Neuromas are tumors made of connective tissue and fat cells. To prevent diseases, regular foot massages and comfortable footwear can help. Regular barefoot walking strengthens the feet. Special gel insoles make new shoes feel more comfortable to wear.
