Hint please--foot versus hand movements?

Question

I've been trying to find the reason why hands can produce fine motor movements while the foot does more basic movements. Does the foot have less mobility because it has less muscles and nerves? Is there something more I should be looking into? Help please....any hints would be great

Answer 1

The key concept is "cortical representation". Simply put, there is "more brain" devoted to moving the hand than moving your foot. Thus if a person is born without upper limbs, the foot can adapt and become as versatile as the hand.

You may want to look up the "motor homonculus." I'm sure there is a lot of text out there further explaining cortical representation and the motor homonculus.

Answer 2

The hands (of humans) have lengthy fingers and an opposed thumb for grasping and manipulating objects. The human foot has relatively short toes and must bear static weight while contributing greatly to fine-tuned balance. We rarely stand on our hands (much easier to stand on someone else's hand?) and rarely manipulate objects with our toes. Thus we usually forego the possibility of 'learning' unneeded skills. Some artists without the use of their arms and hands have displayed great skill while drawing with their feet but it must be an acquired skill.

Answer 3

Because you have not practice it.

You have been using your hands all your life to do fine motor movement. If you did not have your hands and were forced to use your feet you could do the fine movements

Answer 4

In cerebral cortex comparison of motor area of hands and legs reveals, the area of motor cortex governing and representing the hands is four times more than the area governing and representing feet .Area of cerebral cortex representing the part is directly related to the functional sophistication.