Extrinsic and intrinsic veins of the equine hoof wall.
Abstract: The extrinsic and intrinsic venous drainage of the equine hoof have previously been poorly described. There is also an absence of information about the venous organisation of both primary and secondary dermal lamellae of the hoof wall. The purpose of this study was to describe the normal venous pattern of the horse hoof, especially that associated with the dermal lamellae of the wall. The venous organisation of 46 pairs of hooves from clinically healthy horses was studied using standard plastic vascular corrosion casts and histological sections. A consistent pattern of venous organisation was observed in the toe, quarter and heel regions. Veins in the proximal half of the wall corium form an exteriorly and an interiorly located venous plexus, while in the distal wall corium only an exteriorly located venous plexus is present. The wall corium of the toe and quarters is drained primarily by veins contributing to the coronary venous plexus and to the circumflex vein. In the heel regions this venous drainage network is supplemented by tributaries of the caudal hoof vein, independent superficial vein and anastomotic branches from the circumflex vein to the inner venous plexus. Because of this supplementary venous return the heel region is apparently better drained than other areas of the hoof wall. The wall corium is drained distally by the circumflex vein. The coronary venous plexus is composed of an exteriorly situated short superficial collecting venous plexus and an interiorly situated deep collecting venous plexus. The short superficial collecting veins, which drain the proliferating zone of epidermis of the coronary border, connect directly to the coronary and subcoronary veins. The deep collecting veins drain only the proximal wall corium. Most of the veins that drain the major portions of venous blood from the hoof are situated at the palmar aspect of the digit. These veins drain venous blood from the coronary venous plexus, the inner venous plexus and the superficial tributaries of the heel and bulb areas. The latter two venous systems receive venous blood from the sole and frog regions. Most of the veins of the hoof are valveless, except for tributaries of the coronary and subcoronary veins, and the caudal hoof vein and its tributaries. It is suggested that the weight-bearing force is utilised for effective return of venous blood from the digit.
Publication Date: 1983-05-01 PubMed ID: 6885617PubMed Central: PMC1171900
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper provides an in-depth study of the venous structure in horse hooves, specifically how blood circulation is distributed throughout the hoof’s different segments. Previously, this area was not comprehensively detailed.
Study Methodology
- The team conducted in depth analysis using 46 pairs of hooves taken from healthy horses as sample data.
- The researchers used plastic vascular corrosion casts and histological sections to study these samples. This allowed them to observe the minutiae of the blood vessels in the hooves.
Findings
- This research found a consistent structure of veins throughout different regions of the hoof: toe, quarter, and heel.
- Forms of veins differ only due to the location within the hoof. Veins in the top half of the wall corium (the sensitive skin beneath the hair-rich skin surface of animals) compose an outward and inward venous plexus (network of veins). In contrast, the lower part consists only of an outward venous plexus.
- Blood from the toes and quarters are mainly drained through veins leading to the coronary (located around the coronary band from where the hoof grows) venous plexus and circumflex veins (veins that curve around a different structure).
Unique Findings
- In the heel region, the team found a supplementary interconnection of veins. This network of veins improved drainage in this specified area. Here, tributaries from the caudal hoof vein – a larger vein that serves as a conduit for smaller veins, aided this additional process.
- These interconnected veins include an independent superficial vein and branches from the circumflex vein that connect to the interior venous plexus.
- Due to these additional veins, the heel region is better drained than the other areas of the hoof wall.
The Venous Plexus and Venous Systems
- The coronary venous plexus comprises a superficial venous plexus situated outwardly, responsible for collecting the short veins and a deep venous plexus situated inwardly.
- The short superficial collecting veins drain the proliferating zone of the epidermis of the coronary border, directly connecting to the coronary and subcoronary veins.
- The deep collecting veins drain only the proximal wall corium.
- Most of the veins responsible for draining the majority of the venous blood from the hoof are located at the palmar aspect of the proverbial “finger,” draining blood from the coronary venous plexus, the interior venous plexus, and the superficial tributaries of the heel and bulb areas.
- The latter two systems collect venous blood from the sole and frog regions.
Unique Characteristics of Hoof Veins
- Most veins of the hoof lack valves, except for the branches of the coronary and subcoronary veins, the caudal hoof vein, and its tributaries.
- The researchers suggested that the hoof’s weight-bearing force plays a role in effectively returning venous blood from the digit (the hoof and associated structures).
Cite This Article
APA
Mishra PC, Leach DH.
(1983).
Extrinsic and intrinsic veins of the equine hoof wall.
J Anat, 136(Pt 3), 543-560.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Hoof and Claw / blood supply
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Veins / anatomy & histology
References
This article includes 6 references
- Zentralbl Veterinarmed A. 1971 Oct;18(8):646-52
- J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1972 Dec 1;161(11):1280-3
- Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 1973 Dec 15;86(24):461-5
- Am J Vet Res. 1975 Aug;36(08):1249-53
- Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 1979 Mar 5;86(3):113-9
- Am J Vet Res. 1979 Jan;40(1):135-8
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