The forefoot is the front part of your foot.
Anatomy of the Forefoot
The forefoot is comprised of several key components working together:
- Metatarsals: These are five long bones that form the middle part of the forefoot, connecting the midfoot to the toes.
- Phalanges: These are the fourteen bones that make up your toes. Each toe (except the big toe, which has two) has three phalanges: proximal, middle, and distal.
- Soft Tissues: This includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and skin which provide support, movement, and sensation to the forefoot.
Think of it like this: If you draw an imaginary line across your foot just behind your toes, everything in front of that line is your forefoot.
Location in Relation to Other Foot Parts
To understand the forefoot's location better, consider its relationship to other parts of the foot:
- Midfoot: The forefoot is located anterior (in front of) the midfoot. The midfoot sits between the forefoot and the hindfoot.
- Hindfoot: The hindfoot, which contains the heel bone (calcaneus) and talus, is located posterior (behind) the forefoot.
Understanding the location of the forefoot is important for diagnosing and treating foot injuries and conditions.
