Is the Fifth Toe Useless?

Like the vermiform appendix, do you think the fifth toe (i.e. the little toe, the pinky toe) is a useless body part? Here in NYC, a lot of women where sandles because of the warm, summer-time weather. I've noticed that on most people, the fifth toe is pretty much a useless nub that provides little to no support for standing or walking, unlike the other toes. It appears to just hang there, so to speak. Also, a good portion of the time it isn't even positioned correctly; its bottom side is often angled sideways, instead of downward. Anyhow, what are your thoughts on this body part?

I always thought it was used for balance, when we run/walk.

I've heard that it is important for balance, but I'm skeptical.

Yeah, I could certainly see there being balance issues without the little toes.

I always thought it was used for balance, when we run/walk.

Davulao

That's the one that cries "wi wi wi" all the way home.

I use all my toes to grab things and pick up things off the ground, so it does have important uses to me.

It is believed that it may have served a purpose at one time, but no longer does today. So it's just kind of left over from our early evolutionary days. But we don't know for certain, it may still serve a purpose that we just don't know about. Sometimes things we think are useless end up serving a purpose later on.

It's very big aid in balance. So no it is NOT useless.

A big part of it is inside the foot. feel it up, youll see.KiIIyou

I can agree with this, but the nub (i.e. the part that protrudes from the foot) seems useless.

If you don't have one it messes up your balance, so I'd say it's pretty necessary.

i don't even notice it

[QUOTE="KiIIyou"]A big part of it is inside the foot. feel it up, youll see.BluRayHiDef

I can agree with this, but the nub (i.e. the part that protrudes from the foot) seems useless.

Its as useless as the pinky finger.Kevlar101

The pinky finger does provide a pretty significant increase in grip strength. Any sort of heavy lifting or manual labour would be a tad more difficult without it.

Its as useless as the pinky finger.Kevlar101

Then why don't you get them both cut off?