Answer to Question #118972 in Evolution for Joseph

Question

Structural differences between the hind foot of a dog, goat and human

Answer 1

The type of gait determines the anatomical structure of the foot. To maintain body weight, the human calcaneus is in the same plane with the foot and is in contact with the surface, while the foot takes the form of an arch, which contributes to a stable position of the body and depreciation during movement. The dog has a different bone organization. When walking, the paw rests on the fingers and the torture bone is raised above the surface of the earth. This structure provides mobility of the foot when running. Not so strong stabilization of the bones is also associated with the distribution of weight on four limbs, while the load on the fore limb is greater than on the hind . The goat's foot is quite reduced and when walking, body weight mainly falls on the final phalanges of the fingers and the calcaneus is quite reduced due to adaptation to running.