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Toes are the digits of the foot of an animal. Many animal species such as cats walk on their toes, and are described as being digitigrade. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are plantigrade; unguligrade animals are those that walk on hooves at the tips of their toes.

The toes are, from medial to lateral:

• Big toe (hallux)
• Index toe
• Middle toe
• Fourth toe
• Little toe (Colloquially known as the pinky toe)

Injuries

A sprain or strain to the small interphalangeal joints of the toe is commonly called a stubbed toe. A sprain or strain where the toe connects to the foot is called turf toe. A bunion is a structural deformity of the bones and the joint between the foot and big toe, and may be painful.

Toe actions

Toe bending consists of moving toes downward and causing the toes to become bent, although not all people can bend the toes on the foot. Big toes are often bent along with the index, middle (and sometimes ring and little) toes. However, there are many people whosoever bend their index, middle, even ring and little toes without their big toe bending. There are many people who cannot bend the toes at all.

In toe bend cases, some people are bending toes regarding reasons for picking up things using their own toes. Toe bending-particulary toes that are "double jointed" or flexible-can be good for picking up items (shoes, pens, fruit stems, telephone cords, etcetera). Toe bending can be beneficial exercise or entertaining art and even fun! Toe bending-also called toe curling-can have benefits but some problematic issues also.

Toe straightening consists of the index toes, middle toes, sometimes even the ring toe straightening out when pressing against the floor. Double jointed or flexible index, middle toes (sometimes ring toes) often but don't always straighten out when they are touching surfaces or touching floor. Many people come rather close to straightening their own toes out but they don't quite straighten out. Many others' toes cannot get anywhere close to straightening themselves out; some people have curled, crooked and tilted toes. Shapes will be always different regarding humans' toes. Toes are chubby, thin, moderate or extremely long shaped. Everyone's toes are different-nobody has "normal" toes.

Negative Effect on Toes

Certain shoes can cause misaligning of toes. The examples-high heeled shoes shoved onto feet larger than the shoe may be can cause very serious issues with the female toes inserted inside these high heels. Bunions, hammertoe and twisted toes are among misalignments of the toes caused by high heels, narrow shoes and wearing improper shoes. Flip flops having thong sections are oftentimes causes for toe misaligning because of the thong being gripped extremely hard by the toes of whosoever wears the flip flops. Improper treatment of toes is detrimental and very often damaging in the long range.

Toe numbers

Some humans have beyond ten toes on one body. The unusual fact of having six toes for both feet or higher may come under hereditary condition.

See also

• Ainhum
• Phalanges of the foot
• Finger, for the hand digits
• Hallux
• Morton's toe
• Polydactyly
• Toe cleavage
• Toe tag
• Toe nail
• Webbed toes

References

1. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Physical-Rehabilitation-Medicine-981/Pinky-TOE.htm Physical Rehabilitation Medicine - The Pinky Toe
2. Your Health - Toe Sprain
3. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "Bunions". Retrieved 2008-03-05.

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• Foot
• Podiatry