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Cattle are '''artiodactyl unguligrade''' animals. Unguligrade means that they bear their weight on a horny covering (hoof) that surrounds their distal phalanges, artiodactyl means that they bear weight on an even number of digits. They are virtually identical in their structure in the hindlimb and forelimb. The main differences are in the forelimb we have metacarpals and the metacarpophalangeal joint, the hindlimb equivalents are the metatarsals and the metatarsophalangeal joint. Also in anatomical planes we use the term palmar for forelimb and plantar for hindlimb. These terms are all interchangable in the below article depending on whether you want to talk about the fore or hindlimb.  

Cattle are '''artiodactyl unguligrade''' animals. Unguligrade means that they bear their weight on a horny covering (hoof) that surrounds their distal phalanges, artiodactyl means that they bear weight on an even number of digits. They are virtually identical in their structure in the hindlimb and forelimb. The main differences are in the forelimb we have metacarpals and the metacarpophalangeal joint, the hindlimb equivalents are the metatarsals and the metatarsophalangeal joint. Also in anatomical planes we use the term palmar for forelimb and plantar for hindlimb. These terms are all interchangable in the below article depending on whether you want to talk about the fore or hindlimb.  

=='''Bones'''==

==Bones==

===='''Metacarpals and Metatarsals'''====

====Metacarpals and Metatarsals====

* The arrangement of the metatarsals are similar to those of the metacarpals.

* The arrangement of the metatarsals are similar to those of the metacarpals.

===='''Phalanges'''====

====Phalanges====

* Just distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint on the palmar aspect of the limb lie a pair of conical accessory claws. These are covered with horn and often contain dense connective tissue and small nodules of bone.

* Just distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint on the palmar aspect of the limb lie a pair of conical accessory claws. These are covered with horn and often contain dense connective tissue and small nodules of bone.

=='''Joints'''==

==Joints==

===='''Metacarpophalangeal/Fetlock Joint'''====

====Metacarpophalangeal/Fetlock Joint====

===='''Proximal Interphalangeal/Pastern Joint'''====

====Proximal Interphalangeal/Pastern Joint====

===='''Distal Interphalangeal/Coffin Joint'''====

====Distal Interphalangeal/Coffin Joint====

* '''Distal interdigital ligaments'''- cruciate ligaments that attach the abaxial aspect of the proximal end of the middle phalanx to the axial surface of the opposing distal phalanx and distal sesamoid.

* '''Distal interdigital ligaments'''- cruciate ligaments that attach the abaxial aspect of the proximal end of the middle phalanx to the axial surface of the opposing distal phalanx and distal sesamoid.

=='''Musculature'''==

==Musculature==

'''Interosseous/Suspensory ligament'''

'''Interosseous/Suspensory ligament'''

* Insertion - the solar surface of the distal phalanx.

* Insertion - the solar surface of the distal phalanx.

=='''Vasculature'''==

==Vasculature==

*'''[[Arteries of the Forelimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Arteries of the Forelimb]]'''

*'''[[Arteries of the Forelimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Arteries of the Forelimb]]'''

*'''[[Veins of the Forelimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Veins of the Forelimb]]'''

*'''[[Veins of the Forelimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Veins of the Forelimb]]'''

*'''[[Lymphatics of the Hindlimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Lymphatics of the Hindlimb]]'''

*'''[[Lymphatics of the Hindlimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Lymphatics of the Hindlimb]]'''

=='''Innervation'''==

==Innervation==

[[Hindlimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Innervation of the Hindlimb]]

[[Hindlimb - Anatomy & Physiology|Innervation of the Hindlimb]]

=='''The Bovine Claw'''==

==The Bovine Claw==

The claws of a cow resemble a disc split in half, hence the term cloven-hoof. The split is named the '''interdigital cleft''' and gives rise to the flattened '''axial surface''', the '''abaxial surface''' is the remaining rounded surface of the claw.  

The claws of a cow resemble a disc split in half, hence the term cloven-hoof. The split is named the '''interdigital cleft''' and gives rise to the flattened '''axial surface''', the '''abaxial surface''' is the remaining rounded surface of the claw.