toen

Toen is not a standard English word. It is sometimes a misspelling or a shorthand found in compounds such as toenail or toeing. This article uses the term in reference to the toes of the foot and related anatomy, care, and conditions.

Anatomy and variation: A human foot typically has five toes: the hallux (big toe) and four lesser toes. Each toe is made up of phalanges—proximal, middle, and distal—with the hallux usually having two phalanges and the other toes having three. Joints include the metatarsophalangeal joints at the base of each toe and the interphalangeal joints within the toes. The toes are supported by ligaments, tendons, and intrinsic foot muscles, and a toenail covers the dorsal distal aspect of the distal phalanx.

Function: Toes contribute to balance and stability when standing, walking, and running. They help with weight distribution, shock absorption, and the push-off phase of gait, aiding propulsion and foot alignment.

Common conditions and care: Conditions affecting the toes include bunions (hallux valgus) at the big toe joint, hammer toes, mallet toes, ingrown toenails, and fungal infections. Care practices include trimming nails straight across, avoiding cutting corners, keeping feet clean and dry, and wearing properly fitting footwear. Persistent pain, deformity, numbness, or signs of infection warrant medical evaluation.

See also: toe, toenail, foot. Note that in standard usage, the term is toe, not toEn.