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Hoof - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 10:13, 19 August 2011
, 10:13, 19 August 2011→Five Segments of the Hoof
==Five Segments of the Hoof==
==Five Segments of the Hoof==
===Wall===
===Wall===
The wall of the hoof is the element of the hoof that is visible. The wall of the hoof is widest at the dorsal aspect of the hoof, i.e. at the toe. The wall of the hoof decreases in width laterally and medially (around the quarters of the hoof). In most domestic species the wall of the hoof is between 5 - 10mm thick and consists of three layers. There is an '''outer layer''' of thin but dense horn that is shiny and acts to reduce evaporation from the horn and therefore prevent dehydration of the other layers of the horn. There is an '''intermediate layer''' which represents the main structure of the wall and is composed of amorphous horn reinforced with many tubular shaped horn rods. Finally there is an '''inner lamellar layer''' where there are interdigitating lamellae of horn and dermal lamellae which ensure the hoof itself is firmly anchored to the distal phalanx.
The wall of the hoof is the element of the hoof that is visible. The wall of the hoof is widest at the dorsal aspect of the hoof, i.e. at the toe. The wall of the hoof decreases in width laterally and medially (around the quarters of the hoof). In most domestic species the wall of the hoof is between 5 - 10mm thick and consists of three layers. There is an '''outer layer''' of thin but dense horn that is shiny and acts to reduce evaporation from the horn and therefore prevent dehydration of the other layers of the horn. There is an '''intermediate layer''' which represents the main structure of the wall and is composed of amorphous horn reinforced with many tubular shaped horn rods. Finally there is an '''inner lamellar layer''' where there are interdigitating lamellae of horn and dermal lamellae which ensure the hoof itself is firmly anchored to the distal phalanx. The bond between the horn and the underlying dermis is a living bond that gradually allows the wall of the hoof to slide in a distal direction towards the ground where the distal border is worn away via contact with the ground.
===Periople===
===Periople===
The periople is a small band of soft tissue found over the proximal surface of the wall of the hoof. The periople represents the junction between the wall and the skin of the limb. The periople is responsible for the production of the outer layer of the wall (above). The periople segment extends around the proximal edge of the wall and in horses covers the bulb of the heel and part of the frog. In ruminants is forms part of the join between both hooves of the foot.
===Coronary Dermis Segment===
===Coronary Dermis Segment===
The wall of the hoof is created at the coronary dermis and grows in a distal direction from the coronary dermis. The coronary dermis is studded with many papillae which are directed towards the ground in the direction of growth. The epidermis covering these papillae produce horn tubules which are embedded into amorphous inter-tubular horn. This inter-tubular horn is created by the spaces between the papillae within the coronary dermis. The combination of both of these horn types ensures the horn has sufficient strength.
The wall of the hoof is created at the coronary dermis and grows in a distal direction from the coronary dermis. The coronary dermis is studded with many papillae which are directed towards the ground in the direction of growth. The epidermis covering these papillae produce horn tubules which are embedded into amorphous inter-tubular horn. This inter-tubular horn is created by the spaces between the papillae within the coronary dermis. The combination of both of these horn types ensures the horn has sufficient strength.
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The pigmentation of the hoof is derived from melanocytes found in the coronary epidermis. Any pigmentation in the hoof will be most pronounced in the outer part of the hoof wall as the deeper layers of the hoof usually contain fewer melanocytes. It is this unpigmented element of the hoof that forms the 'white line' in the sole of hoofs and is particularly important in horses as a landmark for shoeing.
The pigmentation of the hoof is derived from melanocytes found in the coronary epidermis. Any pigmentation in the hoof will be most pronounced in the outer part of the hoof wall as the deeper layers of the hoof usually contain fewer melanocytes. It is this unpigmented element of the hoof that forms the 'white line' in the sole of hoofs and is particularly important in horses as a landmark for shoeing.
===Sole Segment===
===Sole Segment===
===Frog-Bulb Segment===
===Frog-Bulb Segment===