Equine Hoof

Question 1

what are the parts of the hoof wall

Answer 1

1. toe
2. quarters
3. heel

Question 2

what is the weight bearing part of the hoof

Answer 2

the walls

Question 3

what does the coronary band produce

Answer 3

the hoof wall

marks boundary between skin and hoof

Question 4

what is the periople

Answer 4

distal to coronary band

produces waterproof layer

extends 2/3 way down hoof

reduces evaporation

Question 5

what are the features of the solar surface

Answer 5

1. walls
   heel: angles (2), bars (3), bulbs (4)
2. frog
3. central sulcus/cleft
4. collateral sulci/clefts
5. sole

Question 6

what are the lateral/ungual cartilages

Answer 6

cartilage plates

project above the level of hoof

function = shock absorption

Question 7

what are the lateral cartilages supported by

Answer 7

by palmar processes of DP

Question 8

what is sidebone

Answer 8

mineralization of lateral cartilage

normally not seen on radiograph

Question 9

what is the dermis

Answer 9

fused to dorsal surface of DP and covers digital cushion

good nerve and blood supply –> sensitive and bleeds

Question 10

what is laminae

Answer 10

ridges on surface of dermis

Question 11

what is primary laminae

Answer 11

vertical ridges

Question 12

what is secondary laminae

Answer 12

microscopic horizontal leaves

Question 13

what does the dermis supply

Answer 13

germinative layer which produces the epidermis

Question 14

where is the dermis normally active

Answer 14

1. coronary band
2. solar surface

Question 15

how is the coronary band formed

Answer 15

formed into conical shaped papillae

Question 16

what is the function of the coronary band

Answer 16

produce epidermis in form of tubes of keratin

extends distally towards ground

Question 17

what are the gaps in the keratin filled with

Answer 17

intertubular horn –> less well organized keratin

Question 18

what forms the hoof wall/capsule

Answer 18

tubes of keratin and intertubular horn

approx 1cm thick

no nerve or blood supply

weight bearing at solar surface

Question 19

what is the hoof capsule/wall

Answer 19

outer surface smooth

inner surface - laminae

interdigitate with dermal laminae

forms corresponding primary and secondary laminae (epidermal/insensitive laminae)

epidermal horn tubes glide distally as hoof wall grows

Question 20

what is the white line

Answer 20

interdigitation between the sensitive dermal laminae and insensitive epidermal laminae

Question 21

what is the function of the white line

Answer 21

holds epidermis onto dermis covering DP

suspends DP within hoof capsule

transfers weight from DP to hood wall during weight bearing

Question 22

how is the hoof produced

Answer 22

1. solar surface –> activate germinative layer
2. sole –> keratinized flakes, protection of deeper structures
3. frog –> incomplete keratinization, soft & elastic, shock absorption
4. rest of dermis –> damage to hoof capsule, potential for keratin formation, disorganized and temporary

Question 23

what are the sequence of events of weight bearing of the hoof

Answer 23

1. frog contacts the ground
2. digital cushion compressed –> acts like wet sponge, forces blood back up leg
3. lateral cartilages –> expand laterally, dissipate forces
4. hoof wall contacts ground and weight transfered to DP
5. weight transfered to hoof wall via interdigitation of laminae

Question 24

what are the hoof contents

Answer 24

distal phalanx (P3)

middle phalanx (P2)

distal interphalangeal joint

navicular bone/distal sesamoid

navicular/podotrochlear bursa

DDFT

digital cushion

Question 25

label the hoof contents

Answer 25

distal phalanx

middle phalanx

distal interphalangeal joint

navicular bone/distal sesamoid (n)

navicular/podotrochlear bursa

DDFT

digital cushion

Question 26

identify the forelimb soft tissue structures

Answer 26

Question 27

identify the forelimb soft tissue structures

Answer 27

Question 28

identify the ground surfaces of the hoof

Answer 28

Question 29

identify the structure of the hoof wall and the underlying laminar dermis

Answer 29

Question 30

identify the structures of the hoof

Answer 30

Question 31

identify the ground surfaces of the hoof

Answer 31

Question 32

identify the structures of the exposed dermis

Answer 32

Question 33

identify the structures at the level of the navicular bone

Answer 33