Changes

[[image: X-section through hoof.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A X-section through a typical hoof.  ©Rachael Wallace2008]]

[[image: X-section through hoof.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A X-section through a typical hoof.  ©Rachael Wallace2008]]

[[image: Plantar hoof aspect.jpg|thumb|175px|left|A view of the solar surface of an equine hoof.  The wall has been removed on the right to show the underlying dermis.  ©Rachael Wallace2008]]

[[image: Plantar hoof aspect.jpg|thumb|175px|left|A view of the solar surface of an equine hoof.  The wall has been removed on the right to show the underlying dermis.  ©Rachael Wallace2008]]

As outlined above, the equine hoof can be divided into three topographical regions; the '''wall''', the '''frog''' and the '''sole'''. The '''wall''' forms the medial, lateral and dorsal aspect of the hoof and it can be further divided into the '''toe''', '''quarters''' and '''heels'''. At the heel the walls reflect back on themselves at a point called the '''angles''' and in doing so forms the '''bars'''. The bars, although moving cranially, gradually fade along the edge of the frog and never actually meet. The '''frog''' sits between the bars and has an apex facing distally, with 2 crura flanking a central sulcus. Between the crus and bar of each half of the sole lies the '''collateral sulcus'''. Opposite the apex, the frog expands forming the '''bulbs of the heel'''. The '''sole''' is the area distal to the bars and apex of the frog enclosed by the hoof wall. The area where the bars and wall enclose it is known as the '''angle of the sole'''.  

The general anatomy of the hoof can be found here: [[:Category:Anatomy & Physiology|Equine Hoof]]. The following section will focus on the equine hoof.  

The dermis of the distal phalanx is arranged in hundreds of leaves or '''laminae''', each of which has microscopic '''secondary laminae'''. The coronary region has a germinative layer associated with papillae that is responsible for producing the horn tubules that make up the hoof wall. This wall glides distally at a rate of 5-6mm a month and by forming epidermal laminae itself it interdigitates with the underlying dermal laminae. Neither of these laminae are pigmented so when the epidermal laminae appear on the solar surface, a non-pigmented region known as the '''white line''' appears. The white line is used as important landmark in farriery as structures central to the line will be dermal and so vascular and sensitive.  

The dermis of the distal phalanx is arranged in hundreds of leaves or '''laminae''', each of which has microscopic '''secondary laminae'''. The coronary region has a germinative layer associated with papillae that is responsible for producing the horn tubules that make up the hoof wall. This wall glides distally at a rate of 5-6mm a month and by forming epidermal laminae itself it interdigitates with the underlying dermal laminae. Neither of these laminae are pigmented so when the epidermal laminae appear on the solar surface, a non-pigmented region known as the '''white line''' appears. The white line is used as important landmark in farriery as structures central to the line will be dermal and so vascular and sensitive.