Foot

The foot is the terminal part of the lower limb, supporting body weight and enabling balance and locomotion through its bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissues.

Tarsal bones: The seven bones forming the ankle and rear and middle portions of the foot. They form the foot’s rear framework and connect it to the leg.
Gait: The pattern of movement used during walking. Foot function is easiest to see across the repeated phases of walking.
Plantar fasciitis: A painful condition involving the plantar fascia, commonly felt near its attachment at the heel. It illustrates how repeated loading can irritate tissue supporting the sole.
Hand: The prehensile terminal part of the upper limb, specialized for manipulation and touch. The hand shares a basic limb-bone pattern but prioritizes grasping rather than weight-bearing.
Calcaneus: The largest tarsal bone, forming the heel and transmitting forces from the Achilles tendon. This bone takes substantial forces at heel strike and anchors the Achilles tendon.
Metatarsal bones: The five long bones connecting the tarsal bones to the toes. They transmit forces between the arches and the forefoot.
Gait cycle: The sequence of events from one foot’s contact with the ground to its next contact. It shows how the foot alternates between accepting weight and pushing the body forward.
Flat feet: A foot shape with a low or absent medial longitudinal arch when standing. Arch shape can affect how weight is distributed across the foot.
Bipedalism: A form of locomotion in which an organism moves primarily on two legs. The human foot’s structure reflects the demands of habitual upright walking.
Talus: A tarsal bone that transfers body weight from the tibia to the rest of the foot. It is the key link through which body weight enters the foot.

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