The Hoof and Musculoskeletal System

**19**

(**Figure 1**) [6].

**Chapter 2**

**Abstract**

**1. Introduction**

The Anatomy, Histology and

Lame Equine Hoof

Physiology of the Healthy and

*Ramzi Al-Agele, Emily Paul, Valentina Kubale Dvojmoc,* 

Satisfactory investigations of the equine foot appear to be limited by the histomorphological complexity of internal hoof structures. Foot lameness is considered to be one of the most debilitating pathological disorders of the equine foot. In most species, foot lameness is traditionally linked to hoof deformity, and a set of molecular events have been defined in relation to the disease. So far, there is controversy regarding the incidence of foot lameness in horses, as it is unclear whether it is foot lameness that triggers hoof distortions or vice-versa. In order to develop a better understanding of foot lameness, we review both the healthy and lame foot anatomy, cell biology and vascularisation and using micro-computed tomography show new

*Craig J. Sturrock, Cyril Rauch and Catrin Sian Rutland*

methods of visualising internal structures within the equine foot.

**Keywords:** equine, anatomy, histology, healthy, lame, vasculature

relate these back to lameness and laminitis in the horse.

**2. Gross anatomy of the equine hoof**

Understanding the basic anatomy of the horse hoof is essential in order to further investigate the structures' involvement in the pathogenesis of lameness and in order to help understand disorders such as lameness and laminitis. This chapter aims to show anatomy and physiology of the hoof and bones of the equine foot and

The distal extremities of the domestic mammal are encased inside a keratinised capsule [1], which takes the form of a hoof capsule in ungulates and a claw in carnivores [2]. This insensitive horny structure encloses the distal part of the second phalanx (also known as the middle phalanx or short pastern bone), the distal phalanx (also known as the coffin bone or the pedal bone) and the navicular bone, in addition to connective tissues including, for example, the distal interphalangeal joint, medial and lateral hoof cartilage, with the terminal end of the deep digital flexor tendon and navicular bursa [1, 3–5]. These structures are connected to each other in order to provide a coherent and resilient structure within the foot
