If Your Second Toe Is Longer — DNA Finally Revealed Where It Comes From

If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you may have a foot shape often called Morton’s toe. Scientists have discovered that toe and foot shape is influenced by genetics, skeletal development, and many other biological factors. Research has identified genetic variants associated with the development of the human foot and lower limb. However, having a longer second toe does not identify a specific ethnicity, ancestry, or ancient population by itself. Different populations can share similar foot traits because human physical characteristics are influenced by many genes and environmental factors. In this video, we explore the genetics of foot shape, human variation, ancestry, and what DNA can—and cannot—reveal. Could your toe shape really contain clues about your biological history?