Changes

If the skin covering the horn bud is not removed, the horn will continue to grow throughout the animal's life from the base, apically.  Growth zones are visible with differing thickness of the keratin layer, relating to the nutritional status of the animal at that time.

If the skin covering the horn bud is not removed, the horn will continue to grow throughout the animal's life from the base, apically.  Growth zones are visible with differing thickness of the keratin layer, relating to the nutritional status of the animal at that time.

The dermis of the horn is supplied by the '''corunal nerve''', which is a branch of the [[Nervous System - CNS - Anatomy & Physiology#Innervation - Cranial Nerves|maxillary nerve]] ('''CN V''').  This nerve is often blocked to provide local anaesthesia in the disbudding or de-horning process.

The dermis of the horn is supplied by the '''corunal nerve''', which is a branch of the [[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|maxillary nerve]] ('''CN V''').  This nerve is often blocked to provide local anaesthesia in the disbudding or de-horning process.

The primary function of horns is to convey social hierarchy.  The larger the horns, the higher up the social group the animal is.  They also have a thermoregulatory roll in cattle and goats.  When the ambient temperature increases, the blood flow through the dermis of the horn also increases, thus facilitating heat loss through radiation from the horn surface.

The primary function of horns is to convey social hierarchy.  The larger the horns, the higher up the social group the animal is.  They also have a thermoregulatory roll in cattle and goats.  When the ambient temperature increases, the blood flow through the dermis of the horn also increases, thus facilitating heat loss through radiation from the horn surface.