In botany, in liverworts, mosses, and many vascular plants, the part of the embryo that remains in contact with gametophytic tissue, absorbing food from it and serving as an organ of attachment.
The end part of the leg on which a person stands.
That part of the leg below the ankle; also called pes.
The mobile structure, beginning at the ankle, that supports and stabilizes the weight of the body and helps propel the body forward in walking or running. At the ankle, the two bones of the lower leg (the tibia and fibula) join with the seven bones of the ankle. The ankle bones are called the tarsals. The ankle allows the foot to move up and down and to rotate from side to side. Below the ankle another 19 bones, the metatarsals and the phalanges, are held together by strong ligaments to form the rest of the foot and the toes. The toes lack the wide range of motion found in the fingers, providing instead the smooth, rolling support needed for balance and walking. The big toe, like the thumb, has only two bones, while the other toes, like the rest of the fingers, have three. While the foot functions to hold up the weight of the standing body, the arch of the foot — formed by the bones and their binding of ligaments—provides a cushion and keeps a person’s weight from pushing the foot flat against the ground. During walking, the arch helps roll the weight onto the big toe, which moves the body forward.
The terminal part of the leg below the ankle. The bones of the foot include the tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges.
The foot serves two crucial roles. The primary role is to bear the body’s weight while standing or walking. Its secondary function is to operate as a lever, propelling the body forward.
The heel bone, which is the foot’s largest bone, is connected to the ankle bone, known as the talus. The tarsal bones are situated ahead of the talus and heel bone, and are connected to the five metatarsal bones. The toe bones are referred to as phalanges; the big toe contains two phalanges while the rest of the toes each have three.
Tendons that wrap around the ankle link the muscles that operate on the different foot and toe bones. The primary blood vessels and nerves run in front of and behind the inner part of the ankle to provide for the foot. The underside of a normal foot shapes a natural arch, upheld by ligaments and muscles. The foot’s sole is formed by fascia (fibrous tissue) and fat, covered by a layer of durable skin.
Foot injuries frequently lead to fractures of the foot bones, which include the metatarsals and phalanges. The heel bone, or calcaneus, can fracture if someone falls from a significant height onto a hard surface.
Congenital foot abnormalities, such as clubfoot, flat feet, and claw-foot, are relatively common. A bunion is a prevalent foot deformity where a thickened bursa (fluid-filled pad) covers the joint at the base of the big toe.
Corns are small regions of hardened skin typically caused by tight-fitting shoes. Verrucas form on the soles of the feet. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin between the toes, leading to intense itching, discomfort, and cracking.
Gout is a fairly prevalent form of arthritis that typically impacts the joint situated at the root of the big toe or another foot joint. An ingrown toenail is often seen on the big toe and can result in the inflammation and infection of the adjacent tissues.
Foot-drop is a condition where the individual is unable to properly lift their foot, resulting in its dragging on the ground during walking. This condition can arise due to an impairment of the leg muscles responsible for this specific movement, or it could be linked to damage of the nerves that innervate these muscles.