Laminae provide a sturdy junction in between the distal phalanx (coffin bone/P3) and the keratinised hoof wall, transferring the forces between those structures. The interlocking of dermis (sensitive) laminae (attached to coffin bone) and epidermis (insensitive) laminae (attached to hoof wall) is called the laminar junction or interface.
Although the horse's weight is imposed on the distal phalanx and the hoof capsule, the laminar junction plays a crucial role in absorbing and dissipating the applied forces, both from the weight of the horse and the ground reaction forces. Understanding the structure and mechanical properties of the laminar junction is a key to help recognise influencing factors and is paramount to understanding performance and health in horses.
The laminar epidermis sits on top of the laminar dermis (also referred to as the corium). The corium are connected to the underlying structures by the sub-cutis.
One of the most critical and specialised structures of the hoof are the laminae.
To understand the anatomy of the hoof, it is beneficial to understand the normal functions of the hoof.
The forces exerted on the hoof by horses are significant.
The hoof is required to maintain its structural integrity, despite these enormous forces (consider the forces exerted on the hooves of a galloping horse).
Laminae are anatomic adaptations, that help facilitate the structural integrity.
Laminae are interdigitating leaf-like projections of dermis (sensitive dermal laminae) and epidermis (insensitive epidermal laminae).
The epidermal laminae make up the innermost portion of the hoof wall and cover the dermal laminae. The epidermal laminae are non-living, except for the lowest level, which generates new cells (called keratinocytes), that are dependent upon the circulation of the dermis (also known as corium) below for nutrition.
The epidermal and dermal laminae are attached by a structure called the basement membrane (or dermoepidermal junction or laminar junction).
The epidermal laminae have an interior layer of cells called the laminar basal epithelial cells, which lie at the interface of the epidermal and dermal laminae. The interdigitation of these laminae generates friction at the interface when force is applied.
What’s more, these interdigitations are extensive and there are both primary laminae as well as smaller projections, called secondary laminae. Secondary laminae greatly increase the surface area of interdigitation between the dermal laminae and epidermal laminae.
Although the horse's weight is imposed on the distal phalanx and the hoof capsule, the laminar junction plays a crucial role in absorbing and dissipating the applied forces, both from the weight of the horse and the ground reaction forces. Understanding the structure and mechanical properties of the laminar junction is a key to help recognise influencing factors and is paramount to understanding performance and health in horses.
The laminar epidermis sits on top of the laminar dermis (also referred to as the corium). The corium are connected to the underlying structures by the sub-cutis.
One of the most critical and specialised structures of the hoof are the laminae.
To understand the anatomy of the hoof, it is beneficial to understand the normal functions of the hoof.
The forces exerted on the hoof by horses are significant.
The hoof is required to maintain its structural integrity, despite these enormous forces (consider the forces exerted on the hooves of a galloping horse).
Laminae are anatomic adaptations, that help facilitate the structural integrity.
Laminae are interdigitating leaf-like projections of dermis (sensitive dermal laminae) and epidermis (insensitive epidermal laminae).
The epidermal laminae make up the innermost portion of the hoof wall and cover the dermal laminae. The epidermal laminae are non-living, except for the lowest level, which generates new cells (called keratinocytes), that are dependent upon the circulation of the dermis (also known as corium) below for nutrition.
The epidermal and dermal laminae are attached by a structure called the basement membrane (or dermoepidermal junction or laminar junction).
The epidermal laminae have an interior layer of cells called the laminar basal epithelial cells, which lie at the interface of the epidermal and dermal laminae. The interdigitation of these laminae generates friction at the interface when force is applied.
What’s more, these interdigitations are extensive and there are both primary laminae as well as smaller projections, called secondary laminae. Secondary laminae greatly increase the surface area of interdigitation between the dermal laminae and epidermal laminae.