eli5: purpose of toenails?

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like genuinely, why?

In: Biology

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

We have a TON of nerves that end under there (ends are extra sensitive) but our feet need lots of nerves so we can react faster and because they’re farthest away from your brain.

Anonymous 0 Comments

They protect your toes. Their purpose is literally to keep the shape of your toes intact, to provide little ‘caps’ to cover your toes to protect them from the world. Without your toenails your toes would get beaten out of shape very quickly – and that would not be great. Your toes are actually incredibly important for walking, running, balancing, climbing. Your toenails are accessories to this.

They’re also tools. Finger and toenails are our inbuilt tools, along with teeth.