Anatomy and baseline histology of the hoof capsule, corium, and digital cushion in free-ranging southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)
Fig 7
Cross-sectional anatomy and histology of the giraffe digital cushion.
(A) Gross transverse section of the distal limb showing two distinct regions of the digital cushion: a proximal soft region (☆) composed of adipose tissue and a distal firm region (Δ) composed of dense connective tissue. The proximal region lies palmar to the deep digital flexor tendon (→) and extends distally beyond its terminal attachment, adjacent to the distal sesamoid bone of the digit. (B) Histological section (H&E stain, 4.9X) of the same regions confirms this distinction, with the proximal portion (☆) consisting of adipose tissue and the distal portion (Δ) composed of dense fibrous connective tissue.