Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, Vol 89, Issue 1 2-17, Copyright © 1999 by American Podiatric Medical Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Evolution of the rearfoot. A model of adaptation with evidence from the fossil record

R Kidd
Division of Podiatry, University of Western Sydney-Macarthur, New South Wales, Australia.

The evolution of the human foot presents an obfuscation: explanations for its occurrence and the exact nature of mechanisms of change are still not fully understood. This article outlines a model of adaptation from a primitive ape foot and presents this as a hypothesis. Evidence substantiating the hypothesis is then presented, which explains many of the large-scale features distinctive to the human foot. Further evidence is then presented that goes some way toward explaining the sequence of modification with first the lateral side becoming adapted for terrestrial function followed by the medial side. Paradoxically, this was hypothesized by Morton more than half a century ago in his "hypothetical prehuman foot," though it was not accepted favorably at the time.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Ferrari, D. A. Hopkinson, and A. D. Linney Size and Shape Differences Between Male and Female Foot Bones: Is the Female Foot Predisposed to Hallux Abducto Valgus Deformity? J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, September 1, 2004; 94(5): 434 - 452. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]