Hallux
From Free net encyclopedia
The hallux, big toe, or great toe is the innermost toe of the foot, counted as digit I.
In humans and non-human primates, the hallux is shorter than the second or pointer toe for a majority of people; compare to the thumb on the hand.
The human big toe has limited grasping ability. Chimpanzees and many other non-human primates lack opposable thumbs but have an opposable hallux.
In birds with anisodactyl or heterodactyl feet, the hallux is opposed or directed backwards and allows for grasping and perching.
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Diseases
The rare genetic disease Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva causes the big toe to be the shortest.
The big toe is the most common locus of gout attacks.