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			foot
	{{otheruses}}
	The '''foot''' is a biological structure found in many ]s that is used for
	]. In many animals, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the ] made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws or nails.

	==General forms==

	]

	In land animals, ] and ] have complex foot organs. The insect foot is known as a ], and is ] to the ]. 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 land vertebrates are characterized as either ], ], or ]. In plantigrade animals, such as ] or ], the bottom of the entire foot supports the weight of the animal. In ] animals, such as ] or ], 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 ].
	<br>

	==Human foot==
	{{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 = ], ], ] \|
	Vein = \|
	Nerve = ], ], ], ] \|
	Lymph = \|
	MeshName = Foot \|
	MeshNumber = A01.378.610.250 \|
	DorlandsPre = \|
	DorlandsSuf = \|
	}}

	===Anatomy===

	The human foot is of the plantigrade form. The major bones in the human foot are:

	*]: The bones in the ]s are called phalanges.
	*]: The bones in the middle of the foot are called metatarsal bones.
	*]: There are three bones in the middle of the foot, towards the centre of the body called cuneiforms.
	*]: The bone sitting adjacent to the cuneiforms on the outside of the foot is called the cuboid.
	*]: This bone sits behind the cuneiforms.
	*]: Also called the ankle bone, the talus sits directly behind the navicular.
	*]: Also called the heel bone, the calcaneus sits under the talus and behind the cuboid.

	The foot also contains ]s in distal portion of the ].

	{{seealso\|Arches of the foot}}

	===Culture===

	In different cultures across the world, feet are perceived and treated differently.

	* In ], between the periods of the 10th and 20th century the practice of female ] was used to stop the growth of feet, resulting in an aesthetically preferred though deformed foot.
	* Within several ] denominations, ] is a religious ] possibly originating in the ] customs of the ].
	* ] is a sexual interest and preoccupation with feet and ]. Playing ] is also a term dealing with rubbing each other's feet, and can have sexual connotations, while a ] is a sex act involving the feet.

	===Customs===
	{{Refimprove\|date=August 2007}}
	] of a male and female foot.]]
	Customs about ] 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 ] and ], and in many homes in ] and ].
	**in the ]
	**in ] and ] 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 ] countries and in ], it is considered extremely offensive to show someone the sole of your foot, although the practice of ] 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 ].
	* The feet are one of the most common places to be ] on the human body. The ] generally tend to be sensitive to ].

	===Customary measurement===

	One way to measure short distances on the ground is by placing one foot directly in front of the other; this led to the adoption of the ], even though not all human feet correspond to this measure.

	===Myths===

	It is a myth that the ] "]" (304.8 mm) is about the length of the average European male foot. The average today is less than 270 mm and 90% of the population is within 20 mm of that. Very few men today have feet that are a "foot" long: most are more than 35 mm shorter. In the past, the average length would have been less. 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 ] foot.

	===Medical aspects===

	Due to their position and function, feet are exposed to a variety of potential infections and injuries, including ], ]s, ], ], ], ]s and ]s. In addition, there are several genetic conditions that can affect the shape and function of the feet, including a ] or ].

	A doctor who specializes in the treatment of the feet practices ] and is called a ]. A ] specializes in the use and modification of footwear to treat problems related to the lower limbs.

	] is an ] which involves the stimulation of the nerves and skin of the feet to improve a person's health.

	== External links==

	{{commons}}
	{{wiktionary}}
	* {{dmoz\|/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Musculoskeletal_Disorders/Feet/}}
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	{{human anatomical features}}

	{{Lower limb general}}

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Revision as of 07:24, 2 November 2007

foot