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Basic Ox Hoof Anatomy
Coronary Band. Area at the top of the hoof that is normally soft and shiny, and may be pink in color.
Wall. Consists of tough tubular horn that's smooth and shiny, with faint ridges running parallel to the coronary band.
Bulb. Back part of hoof continuous with coronary band, composed of soft rubbery horn.
Coronary Cushion. Mass of elastic tissue and veins beneath the coronary band; when the ox exercises, the cushion pumps blood through the foot back into the body.
Lamellae. Hundreds of tiny ridges attached to the coffin bone by strong fibers and covered by the lower part of the inside wall.
Coffin Bone. Triangular bone at the end of the digit.
Digit. Toe; two digits make up the foot.
Sole. Concave bottom of the hoof, thicker towards the heel and sloping away from the outside wall.
Digital Cushion. Area within the bulb; functions as an elastic shock absorber and also may work as a pump to force blood back up the limb as the ox walks.
Heel. Bulb and digital cushion.
*Reprinted with permission from "Cattle Lameness" a book containing many illustrations and a wealth of information on the hoof and leg problems of cattle, available by Zinpro Coporation, and available from Amazon for shipping to US addresses as well as ebook available through Apple, Goggle Play and Amazon App Store.
