Voet

Voet is the Dutch word for the foot, the distal part of the leg that bears weight and enables standing and locomotion. In anatomy it includes the ankle, the sole, and the toes. The term derives from Proto-Germanic fōt-, and is cognate with the English word foot. Historically, voet has also been used as a unit of length in the Netherlands and nearby regions before metrication.

Anatomy: A typical human foot contains 26 bones: seven tarsal bones in the hindfoot and midfoot, five metatarsals, and fourteen phalanges. The ankle joint links the leg to the foot, supported by many ligaments; the subtalar joint controls side-to-side motion. The bottom surface bears the arch, which distributes load. Muscles—intrinsic foot muscles and extrinsic muscles from the leg—act via tendons, including the Achilles tendon.

Function: The voet provides weight bearing, propulsion, shock absorption, and balance during standing, walking, and running. The arch and soft tissues help adapt to uneven surfaces. Sensory nerves in the sole supply feedback that guides movement and posture.

Usage and measurement: In Dutch, voet appears in many compound words, such as voetbal (football/soccer), voetstuk (pedestal), and voetafdruk (footprint). In the modern metric system, the foot is no longer a standard unit, though historical regional variants existed before standardization.

Common foot problems include bunions (hallux valgus), flat feet (platvoeten), plantar fasciitis, and toenail issues, such as ingrown nails. Foot health is typically addressed by routine hygiene, proper footwear, and medical evaluation for persistent pain or deformity.