Foot

The foot is a biological structure found in many animals that is used for locomotion.

Customs

Customs about foot covering while indoors vary significantly from place to place and usually depend on climate, weather, and other factors. For example, in much of Europe and Canada, and in many homes in New Zealand and Australia, it is customary to remove one's shoes or boots when entering a home, while in the United States this is rare in most parts of the country. In Japan, 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 Arab countries and in Thailand, it is considered extremely offensive to show someone the sole of your foot, although the practice of not wearing shoes is common, due to various reasons including hot climate and tradition. One of the common side effects of wearing shoes is the social stigma and embarrassment caused by unpleasant foot odor , caused by sweaty feet going without ventilation and resulting in a foul, or sometimes, devastating stench.

Measurement

The foot provides a convenient way to measure short distances on the ground by placing one foot directly in front of the other; this led to the adoption of the foot as a unit of length, even though not all human feet correspond exactly to this measure.

Parts of the foot

File:Foot-bones.jpg

The bones in the human foot

Heel
Instep
Sole
Ball
Five toes: big, pointer, middle, ring, pinky toes
Toenails

Bones

Disorders of the feet

External links