VM516: Musculoskeletal System > Hoof Structures & Function > Flashcards

Hoof Structures & Function Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the attachment of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in the equine distal limb?

A

Attachment to distal P1 and proximal P2

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2
Q

What is the attachment of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT)?

A

Attachment to P3 on flexor surface

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3
Q

What ligament combines with the DDFT?

A

Distal check/accessory ligament combines with DDFT

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4
Q

What is another name for the suspensory ligament?

A

Interosseous

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5
Q

Where do the extensor branches of the suspensory ligament run?

A

Extensor branches at palmar sesamoids

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6
Q

What ligament becomes visible when the SDFT and DDFT are cut?

A

Intersesamoid ligament

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7
Q

What structures are associated with the interosseous in the distal limb?

A

Proximal sesamoid bones, the common digital extensor tendon, and the distal sesamoidean ligaments.

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8
Q

What ligaments lie deep to the straight and oblique sesamoidean ligaments?

A

Cruciates

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9
Q

What structure is associated with the DDFT as it glides over the navicular bone?

A

Navicular bursa

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10
Q

What ligament attaches the navicular bone distally?

A

Distal navicular or impar ligament

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11
Q

What soft tissue structure contributes to weight bearing and shock absorption?

A

Digital cushion

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12
Q

What structure is located deep to both digital flexor tendons when they are cut at the level shown in the slide?

A

The intersesamoid ligament.

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13
Q

What stabilizing ligamentous structures are associated with the tendons at the level of the sesamoids?

A

The distal sesamoidean ligaments (straight and obliques).

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14
Q

Which ligaments lie deep to the straight and oblique distal sesamoidean ligaments?

A

The cruciate ligaments.

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15
Q

What structure does the deep digital flexor tendon glide over in the distal limb?

A

The navicular bone with the navicular bursa between them.

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16
Q

What soft tissue structure lies deep to the DDFT and contributes to shock absorption?

A

The digital cushion.

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17
Q

Where does the common digital extensor tendon insert in the equine forelimb?

A

On the extensor process of the distal phalanx (P3).

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18
Q

Which structure joins the common digital extensor tendon at the fetlock?

A

The extensor branches of the suspensory ligament.

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19
Q

What is the function of the common digital extensor tendon’s insertion on P3?

A

It allows extension of the coffin joint (P3).

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20
Q

How does the insertion of the common digital extensor compare to the deep digital flexor tendon?

A

The common digital extensor inserts dorsally on the extensor process of P3, while the DDFT inserts on the flexor surface of P3.

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21
Q

How does the insertion of the common digital extensor compare to the superficial digital flexor tendon?

A

The common digital extensor inserts on P3, while the SDFT inserts on distal P1 and proximal P2.

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22
Q

What is the primary role of the interosseous ligament (suspensory ligament) during weight bearing?

A

It prevents overextension (hyperextension) of the fetlock by supporting the proximal sesamoid bones and resisting downward force.

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23
Q

How does the interosseous ligament act as a “spring” during weight bearing?

A

It stretches slightly under load and recoils during limb lift, contributing to energy storage and return.

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24
Q

What is the function of the extensor branches of the interosseous ligament?

A

They pass dorsally to join the common digital extensor tendon, helping extend the digit and preventing the toe from “digging in” during weight bearing.

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25
What is the function of the straight distal sesamoidean ligament?
It attaches the proximal sesamoids to P2 and helps resist fetlock overextension during weight bearing.
26
What is the function of the oblique distal sesamoidean ligaments?
They provide additional support between the sesamoids and P1, helping stabilize the proximal phalanx under load.
27
What is the function of the cruciate distal sesamoidean ligaments?
They prevent separation and shear between the proximal sesamoids and P1 by forming a deep crossing support.
28
How do the distal sesamoidean ligaments collectively support weight bearing?
Together they anchor the sesamoid bones to the proximal phalanges, resisting the downward pull of the DDFT and SDFT and stabilizing the fetlock.
29
How do all three structures—interosseous, extensor branches, and distal sesamoidean ligaments—work together during weight bearing?
They form the passive stay apparatus of the distal limb, preventing fetlock collapse, stabilizing the digit, and storing energy that reduces muscular effort.
30
What is the basic structure of a tendon sheath?
A double-layered synovial structure with an outer fibrous layer and an inner synovial layer, sometimes connected to the tendon by a mesotendon.
31
What is the main function of tendon sheaths?
To reduce friction and allow smooth gliding of tendons as they move over bones or ligaments.
32
What is the function of the digital flexor tendon sheath in horses?
It surrounds and protects the SDFT and DDFT in the distal limb, lubricating them for smooth motion during flexion and extension.
33
Where is the carpal tendon sheath located in horses?
It surrounds the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons as they pass through the carpal canal on the palmar aspect of the carpus.
34
Where is the digital flexor tendon sheath located at the fetlock in horses?
On the palmar aspect of the fetlock, enclosing the SDFT and DDFT from the distal metacarpus, around the fetlock joint, and into the pastern.
35
Where is the carpal tendon sheath located in cattle?
On the palmar aspect of the carpus, enclosing the flexor tendons as they pass through the bovine carpal canal, similar to the horse.
36
Where are the digital flexor tendon sheaths located at the fetlock in cattle?
On the palmar aspect of each digit, surrounding the flexor tendons from the distal metacarpus to the proximal phalanx, with separate sheaths for the medial and lateral digits.
37
What happens to weight bearing if the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) is severely damaged?
The horse cannot flex the distal interphalangeal joint, the toe lifts or “flips up,” and the animal bears weight abnormally on the heel.
38
Why does severe DDFT damage cause the toe to lift?
Because the DDFT is the primary flexor of the coffin joint, and loss of tension removes downward pull on P3.
39
What happens to weight bearing if the interosseous ligament (suspensory ligament) is severely damaged?
The fetlock drops toward the ground (fetlock hyperextension) because the suspensory apparatus can no longer prevent fetlock collapse under load.
40
Why does the fetlock collapse when the interosseous ligament is damaged?
The suspensory ligament is the main structure resisting fetlock overextension, so failure removes the primary support against downward force.
41
Which injury—**DDFT or interosseous ligament damage**—is more likely to cause catastrophic loss of weight-bearing support?
Severe interosseous ligament rupture, because the fetlock cannot stay upright without the suspensory apparatus.
42
What joints make up the equine digit?
* Fetlock (metacarpal/carpal-phalangeal) * Pastern (proximal interphalangeal) * Coffin joint (distal interphalangeal)
43
Which bones are included in the equine distal digit?
* Coffin bone entirely in hoof * Navicular bone and bursa (distal sesamoid bone) * Collateral (ungual) cartilages
44
What are the external parts of the equine hoof?
45
What are the regions of the hoof wall listed in the slides?
* Toe * Heel * Quarter * Bar
46
What structures of the frog are identified in the slides?
Apex, crura, paracuneal grooves, central sulcus.
47
What does the hoof wall consist of?
Pigmented and non-pigmented wall covered by the periople (cuticle), thin and waxy.
48
What is the white line?
The junction between the wall and sole.
49
What is the dermis of the hoof responsible for?
Interdigitates with epidermis, provides nourishment and support.
50
What are the specific dermal regions of the hoof?
Perioplic dermis, coronary dermis, laminar dermis (primary and secondary laminae), sole dermis, frog dermis.
51
What are the epidermal regions of the hoof?
Perioplic epidermis (stratum externum/periople), coronary epidermis (stratum medium), laminar epidermis (stratum internum with primary and secondary laminae), epidermis of the sole, epidermis of the frog.
52
In cloven-hoofed animals, which digits bear weight?
Digits 3 and 4.
53
What is the white line described as in the cloven hoof comparison?
The junction between epidermal and dermal laminae; not as solid and can be a source of infection.
54
Where is the navicular bone located relative to the phalanges?
It is the distal sesamoid bone positioned between P2 and P3.
55
What structure lies between the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and the navicular bone?
The navicular bursa.
56
What is the relationship between the DDFT and the navicular bone?
As the DDFT glides over the navicular bone, it passes across the flexor surface with the navicular bursa in between.
57
How does the navicular bone relate to the coffin joint?
It sits just proximal to P3 within the hoof, associated with the distal interphalangeal joint.
58
What structures together form the palmar aspect of the distal interphalangeal region?
The navicular bone, navicular bursa, and the deep digital flexor tendon.
59
regions of the hoof wall
* Toe (dorsal part) * Quarter (sides) * Heel (palmar/plantar aspect) * Bar (wall that reflects back parallel to the frog)
60
the coronary band
The coronet, the junction of hoof and skin.
61
structures of the frog
Apex, crura, paracuneal grooves, and central sulcus.
62
Where is the navicular bone located within the hoof of the horse?
It is the distal sesamoid bone positioned between P2 and P3.
63
How is the navicular bone situated relative to the coffin bone?
It lies just proximal to P3 within the hoof.
64
What structures are associated with the navicular bone in the hoof?
The navicular bursa and the deep digital flexor tendon, which glides over the flexor surface of the navicular bone.
65
How is the coffin bone positioned within the hoof of the horse?
The coffin bone (P3) is entirely within the hoof.
66
What connects the coffin bone to the hoof wall in the horse?
The laminar dermis and laminar epidermis, which interdigitate with primary and secondary laminae.
67
What is the white line and how does it relate to the coffin bone?
The white line is the junction between the wall and sole; it corresponds to the region where the epidermal and dermal laminae meet.
68
What is A?
Pigmented part of hoof wall
69
What is B?
Unpigmented part of hoof wall (NOT the white line)
70
What is C?
White line (can see striations)
71
What is D?
Sole
72
What is E?
Apex of the frog
73
What is F?
Central sulcus of frog
74
What is G?
Paracuneal grooves
75
What is H?
Bar
76
What is I?
Angle of sole
77
What is J?
Heel
78
What is K?
Bulbs of heels
79
What is M?
Crura of frog
80
What is the fetlock joint also called?
The metacarpal/carpal-phalangeal joint.
81
What is the pastern joint also called?
The proximal interphalangeal joint.
82
What is the coffin joint also called?
The distal interphalangeal joint.
83
What is the **perioplic epidermis** also known as?
Stratum externum ## Footnote It serves as a **water retention/moisture barrier** and is characterized as very thin and glossy.
84
What is the primary function of the **stratum externum**?
Water retention/moisture barrier ## Footnote This layer is crucial for maintaining moisture in the hoof.
85
What is the **coronary epidermis** also referred to as?
Stratum medium ## Footnote It constitutes the bulk of the hoof wall and can be pigmented or nonpigmented.
86
What characterizes the deeper portions of the **stratum medium**?
Nonpigmented
87
What is the **laminar epidermis** also known as?
Stratum internum ## Footnote It interdigitates with the laminar dermis.
88
What are the two types of lamina found in the **stratum internum**?
* Primary lamina * Secondary lamina ## Footnote These structures are essential for the attachment of the hoof to the underlying structures.
VM516: Musculoskeletal System
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