C
The region of the dermis located beneath the dorsal edge of the hoof capsule. The coronary dermis is covered in papillae of various sizes; they can be up to 6 mm in length. The coronary dermis supplies the epidermis which forms the stratum medium of the hoof wall.
D
A layer of sensitive tissue between the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) and the subcutaneous tissue. The structural components of the dermis are collagen and elastic fibres. It is well supplied with blood vessels and nerve endings. The dermis of the hoof is frequently known as the corium.
E
The outermost layer of the skin, consisting of several layers of cells in various stages of cornification (keratinization). The outer most layer is known as the stratum corneum, the inner most layer is the proliferation zone where cells multiply (stratum basale/geminativum). The epidermis does not contain any nerves or blood vessels, its nutrients are supplied by the underlying dermis (corium) through diffusion. In the hoof, the epidermis is highly specialised and forms the horn capsule.
F
H
The layer of sensitive tissue between the horn building epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue or bone. It contains blood vessels and nerves and supplies the epidermis with all the nutrients it needs for the production of horn. The dermis of the hoof has distinct modifications depending on the region of the hoof.
The terms dermis and corium are used synonymously and are encountered with equal frequency.
L
The section of dermis that covers the dorsal wall of the coffin bone (distal phalanx) and provides the vascular support for the stratum internum of the hoof wall. The dermis is covered in hundreds of lamellae, running in proximo-distal direction down the dorsal wall of the coffin bone. At the distal end of the lamellae, there are several papillae, known as terminal papillae, it is from these papillae that the white line is secreted.
The lamellar dermis is an important component of the suspensory apparatus of the hoof.
P
A thin band of dermis (5-6 mm width) at the proximal border of the hoof, covered with small papillae. It is continuous with the dermis of the skin above and with the coronary dermis below. There is a small groove between the perioplic and the coronary dermis. The perioplic dermis provides the blood supply for the peroplic epidermis which forms the perioplic horn.
S
The layer of tissue that lies underneath the skin. It consists of loose connective tissue, elastic fibres and fat and contains blood vessels and nerves. The subcutis connects the skin (epidermis and dermis) to the underlying tissues such as muscles or fascia. In certain regions of the hoof, the subcutis is particularly prominent in the form of the digital and the coronary cushion.