What is the term for bending the foot or toes upward?

The term for bending the foot or toes upward is dorsiflexion. This movement occurs at the ankle joint, where the angle between the foot and the leg decreases as the toes move closer to the shin. Dorsiflexion is an important function that allows for activities such as walking and running, as it helps the foot to clear the ground during the swing phase of gait.

In contrast, plantar flexion refers to the movement that extends the foot downward, such as pressing the gas pedal in a car. Inversion and eversion are movements related to the foot's position, with inversion bringing the soles of the feet closer together and eversion moving them further apart. Understanding these terms is key in fields such as kinesiology or sports science, as they relate to movement mechanics and the range of motion in the lower limbs.