Studying arches . . . and other stories
BMJ 2020; 368 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m866 (Published 11 March 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;368:m866
Arches of the foot
Unlike the feet of other primates, the human foot has a longitudinal arch running from the calcaneus to the metatarsal heads. It provides both spring and stiffness so that forces generated by the musculature of the leg are efficiently transmitted to the ground. A new study, part computer simulation and part direct measurement on cadaveric specimens, finds that the transverse tarsal arch of the foot is almost as important (Nature doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2053-y). It too contributes substantially to the stiffness of the foot in the same way that a bank note becomes less floppy if it is curled transversely.
Depression in adolescence
As children get older, …
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