Glossary
Digit
Distal parts of a limb, such as fingers or toes.
These are named and identified by Roman numerals.
In a pentadactyl (five-fingered or five-toed) arrangement, the most medial digit, if present, is I (e.g. the human thumb) and the most lateral is V (e.g. the human little finger).
These are named and identified by Roman numerals.
In a pentadactyl (five-fingered or five-toed) arrangement, the most medial digit, if present, is I (e.g. the human thumb) and the most lateral is V (e.g. the human little finger).
Foot
The distal part of a limb that bears weight, and facilitates locomotion and manipulation.
Also known as the paw (with reference to the feet of dogs and cats).
Also known as the paw (with reference to the feet of dogs and cats).
Plantar
Relating to, or located towards the surface opposite the dorsal surface of the hind foot.
For humans this is the sole of the foot; for cats and dogs, this is the underside of the hind foot.
For humans this is the sole of the foot; for cats and dogs, this is the underside of the hind foot.
Tarsal Region
The region of a hind limb between the leg and the metatarsus.
Metatarsal Region
The region of a forelimb between the carpus and the digits.
Phalangeal Region
The region of a forelimb that is distal to the metacarpal region or the region of the hind limb that is distal to the metatarsal region.
Digitigrade
Walking or bearing weight on toes.
Digitigrade describes the orientation or progression of animals bearing weight on the plantar surface of the phalangeal region. Only digits (toes) make contact with the ground, and the foot is lengthened relative to that of plantigrade animals, but shortened relative to that of unguligrade animals.
Digitigrade describes the orientation or progression of animals bearing weight on the plantar surface of the phalangeal region. Only digits (toes) make contact with the ground, and the foot is lengthened relative to that of plantigrade animals, but shortened relative to that of unguligrade animals.
Unguligrade
Unguligrade describes the orientation or progression of animals bearing weight on the distal tip of plantar surface of the phalangeal region.
Only the distal tips of hooves make contact with the ground, and the foot is lengthened relative to that of plantigrade and digitigrade animals.
Only the distal tips of hooves make contact with the ground, and the foot is lengthened relative to that of plantigrade and digitigrade animals.
Plantigrade
Walking on soles of feet.
Plantigrade describes the orientation or progression of animals bearing weight on the plantar surfaces of the entire tarsal, metatarsal and phalangeal regions of the foot.
Plantigrade describes the orientation or progression of animals bearing weight on the plantar surfaces of the entire tarsal, metatarsal and phalangeal regions of the foot.