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→Topographical Anatomy
==Topographical Anatomy==
==Topographical Anatomy==
The equine hoof can be divided into three topographical regions; the '''wall''', the '''frog''' and the '''sole'''.
The equine hoof can be divided into three topographical regions; the '''wall''', the '''frog''' and the '''sole'''. A well-trimmed foot should weight bear on its walls, bars and frog. This occurs as the weight applied to the distal phalanx is then transferred across the interdigitating laminae to the hoof wall. Thus an injury resulting in damage to the laminae is of extreme importance to the horse.
===Wall===
===Wall===
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 '''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.
===Frog===
===Frog===
The '''frog''' is a wedge-shaped structure which 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 frog is a mass of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which is softer than other parts of the hoof due to its increased water content. Usually, the frog contributes to the weightbearing surface where it functions as a shock absorber. Apocrine glands within the corium of the frog produce secretions on the surface.
The '''frog''' is a wedge-shaped structure which 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 frog is a mass of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which is softer than other parts of the hoof due to its increased water content. Usually, the frog contributes to the weightbearing surface where it functions as a shock absorber. Apocrine glands within the corium of the frog produce secretions on the surface.
[[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]]
== Deeper Structures of the Hoof==
== Deeper Structures of the Hoof==