cannon bone

American  

noun

Zoology.

1. the greatly developed middle metacarpal or metatarsal bone of hoofed quadruped mammals, extending from the hock to the fetlock.

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cannon bone British  

noun

1. a bone in the legs of horses and other hoofed animals consisting of greatly elongated fused metatarsals or metacarpals

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Etymology

Origin of cannon bone

1825–35; cannon in obsolete sense “tube”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cannon bone

O’Brien said the initial diagnosis was a non-displaced condylar fracture and described it as a small crack in the cannon bone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2023

It’s a repetitive strain injury that results in a fracture to the cannon bone above the fetlock due to large loads transmitted during high-speed workouts.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 29, 2023

Somewhere along the line, a cannon bone bruise was discovered, and he was sent to the farm for a break.

From US News ● Mar. 30, 2016

It's a freakish thing, he's put the leg down wrong and broken the cannon bone.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 23, 2011

These are the principal metacarpal or cannon bone, and the rudimentary metacarpal or splint bones.

From Common Diseases of Farm Animals by Craig, R. A., D. V. M.