Basic Ox Hoof Anatomy
from: "Cattle Lameness"
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 30-page booklet containing many illustrations and a wealth of information on the hoof and leg problems of cattle, available for $8.00 from Zinpro Coporation, 10400 Viking Dr, Suite 240, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, 612-944-2736, toll-free 800-445-6145.
PO Box 2067, Cedar Rapids IA 52406-2067
Phone: 319-362-3027 Fax: 319-362-3046 E-Mail: |
8 June 2011