Abstract
The hoof bulb sections of white goats were observed via scanning electron microscopy and stereomicroscopy in order to explore the cushion mechanism in the bulb tissue microstructures of hoofed animals. The hoof bulbs consisted of multilayer tissues, including an epidermal layer, a dermal layer, and subcutaneous tissues from outside to inside. A bionic model based on hoof bulb tissue composite structures was built with a normal model as the control. The microcosmic mechanics of the bulb tissues was analyzed via the finite element method. Simulations showed that when the bionic model was impacted by the top plates at the speed of 1-10 m/s, stress was concentrated in the epidermal layer and uniformly distributed in the dermal layer and dermal papillae, which effectively reduced the impact onto the ground. The cornified epidermal layer can resist the instant impact onto the ground, while the dermal papillae embedded in the dermal layer can store, release, and dissipate the impulsive energy, and the three parts synergically act in the cushion.
Highlights
The feet of animals consist of numerous bones, muscles, ligaments, and joints and are the major part of weight bearing and motion
Feet mainly function as cushion and support and show unique functions and characteristics during the activities of animals owing to the special tissue structures and biomechanical properties [1]
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and histological observation showed the goat hoof bulb tissues mainly consist of an epidermal layer, a dermal layer, and hypodermic connective tissues
Summary
The feet of animals consist of numerous bones, muscles, ligaments, and joints and are the major part of weight bearing and motion. Feet are the only part where animals make contact with the ground, and due to the sudden variation of forces upon the contact, the instant force is several times larger than the weight [2, 3]. These animals usually go through a lot of uneven ground, which produces the large impact to the animal’s body. Large impact will severely damage the body and brain of animals [4]. The reason these animals adapt to the uneven ground is largely the protection of their foot structure
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