study on the vascular system of ovine hind limb claw by means of corrosion casting method

the importance of vessel structure has been shown in pathogenesis of the equine and bovine laminitis. investigation on vessel structures is necessary to diagnose the mechanism of laminitis. due to lack of literature on ovine digital arteries. ovine digital vessels were studied using corrosion casting method. the hind limbs of 15 lambs of 3 months ages were separated from tarsus joint. after the dissection of dorsal metatarsal artery, normal saline and resin metacrylat were injected into the vessels. in this species, the dorsal common digital artery and common plantar digital artery have the main function in blood supply. one branch runs to the heel bulb and the other runs to the axial wall and sole. the third branch of these arteries is responsible to blood supply of periople tissue. the common dorsal digital artery and abaxial proper digital artery drain all venous blood from the claw. the dorsal proper digital artery arises from the numerous smaller veins which are joined to form the deep and superficial venous networks of coronary margin and wall. this vein delivers blood to the common dorsal digital artery. the axial proper plantar vein drained into the abaxial proper plantar vein. two main vessels which arise from venous network of wall, sole and plantar surface of the bulb, drain into the abaxial proper plantar vein.