* Composed of keratin, the same protein that makes up hair and fingernails
* Grow at an average rate of 1/16 of an inch per month
* Can take up to a year to completely regrow if lost
* Protect the toes from injury
Bones
* There are 26 bones in each foot
* The largest bone in the foot is the calcaneus, also known as the heel bone
* The smallest bones in the foot are the phalanges, which make up the toes
Muscles
* There are 20 muscles in each foot
* The muscles work together to move the foot and toes
* The strongest muscle in the foot is the gastrocnemius, which makes up the calf
Ligaments
* There are over 100 ligaments in each foot
* Ligaments connect bones together and provide stability
* The most important ligaments in the foot are the plantar fascia, which runs from the heel to the toes, and the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone
Nerves
* There are over 75,000 nerves in each foot
* Nerves send messages from the brain to the muscles and from the skin to the brain
* The most important nerve in the foot is the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the foot
Blood vessels
* There are over 250 blood vessels in each foot
* Blood vessels carry blood to and from the muscles, bones, and skin
* The most important blood vessel in the foot is the dorsalis pedis artery, which runs along the top of the foot