If the Foot Fits...

     This post is dedicated not to the shoe but the foot that goes within it.  The foot deserves respect!  They support us day and night; whether we're short & fat or tall & skinny; whether we're running fast or walking slow.  The feet are always there.  

    Every person has two pedi (or feet), 10 metatarsals (or toes), arches per foot, insteps per foot and many many bones.  The foot is loaded with so many pieces and parts I can't even remember them all.  If you don't believe me just look at the diagram below.  

 

    
    Looking at this picture makes me so glad that I am not a medical students.  However, it is good to have a basic understanding of the foot so let explain some of the key terms (i mentioned several of these terms above).

• Pedi: 
• Variant(s): or pedi- or pedo-
• Function: combining form
• : foot : feet <pedicure>
• Instep: 
• Pronunciation: \ˈin-ˌstep\
• Function: noun
• : the arched middle portion of the human foot in front of the ankle joint
• ; especially : its upper surface
• Metatarsals:
• Pronunciation: \ˌmet-ə-ˈtär-səl\
• Function: adjective
• : of, relating to, or being the part of the human foot or of the hind foot in quadrupeds between the tarsus and the phalanges that in humans comprises five elongated bones which form the front of the instep and ball of the foot 

• Arch:
• Pronunciation: \ˈärch
• Function: noun
• 1 : an anatomical structure that resembles an arch in form or function: as
• a : either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it: 
• (1) : a longitudinal arch supported posteriorly by the basal tuberosity of the calcaneus and anteriorly by the heads of the metatarsal bones 
• (2) : a transverse arch consisting of the metatarsals and first row of tarsals and resulting from elevation of the central anterior portion of the median longitudinal arch
• b : arch of the aorta 
• 2 : a fingerprint in which all the ridges run from side to side and make no backward turn
• Heel:
• Pronunciation: \ˈhē(ə)l\
• Function: noun
• 1 a : the back of the human foot below the ankle and behind the arch b :the back of the hind limb of other vertebrates homologous with the human heel 
• 2 : an anatomical structure suggestive of the human heel: as 
• a : the hind part of a hoof 
• b : either of the projections of a coffin bone 
• c : the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist

<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html>

    It is also important to note that people tend to have a half-size difference between their feet.  Listen to me as a shoe expert, or a person that works at a shoe store, fit your bigger foot!  A shoe that is too small will lead to tons of problems in a persons foot that you do not want.    

    Well I hope this brief post has helped illuminate your knowledge of the foot.  

Happy Trails :)