noun
big toe; great toe; hallux
Anatomical term for the big toe. Used in medical contexts; in everyday speech 親指 (おやゆび) is more common.
母趾の付け根が痛む。
The base of my big toe hurts.
外反母趾は母趾が変形する病気です。
Hallux valgus is a condition where the big toe becomes deformed.
From 母 (mother/main) and 趾 (toe), reflecting the big toe's primary role. The alternate spelling 拇趾 uses 拇 (thumb/big toe).