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

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

She suffered a fracture of the left front cannon bone on the far turn as she was running a turf race.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2016

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

The colt was said to have “chronic bruising of the bottom of the cannon bone in all four fetlock joints.”

From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2016

The cannon bone extends from the knee or hock to the fetlock, is cylindrical in shape, and stands nearly or quite perpendicular.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.