cannon bone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Specialized
Quick answer
What does “cannon bone” mean?
The long bone between the fetlock and the knee (carpus) in a horse's foreleg, or the hock (tarsus) in the hind leg.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The long bone between the fetlock and the knee (carpus) in a horse's foreleg, or the hock (tarsus) in the hind leg; anatomically, the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone.
In some other hoofed mammals (e.g., deer, cattle), a similar bone in the lower leg. Can be used metaphorically in poetry or descriptive writing to evoke the structure and power of a horse's leg.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. Both varieties primarily use it in equestrian/veterinary contexts.
Connotations
Neutral, technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, confined to specialist domains.
Grammar
How to Use “cannon bone” in a Sentence
The [adj] cannon bone of the [animal] was [verb, e.g., fractured, measured].A [injury/condition] affected the cannon bone.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cannon bone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vet advised to cold-hose the leg to reduce swelling around the cannon-bone area.
- The X-ray revealed the fracture had cannoned through the bone.
American English
- The injury cannoned the bone, requiring immediate surgery.
- They had to pin the cannon-bone fracture.
adjective
British English
- The cannon-bone fracture was a career-ending injury for the racehorse.
- Cannon-bone length is a key conformation trait.
American English
- The cannon bone injury required six months of stall rest.
- He specializes in cannon-bone surgery.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in insurance for racehorses or valuation of equine assets.
Academic
Used in veterinary science, animal biology, equine studies, and osteology papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Used only by horse owners, riders, farriers, or veterinarians in conversation.
Technical
The primary register. Used in veterinary diagnoses, equine conformation assessment, zoological descriptions, and farriery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cannon bone”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cannon bone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cannon bone”
- Confusing it with the weapon 'cannon'.
- Using it to refer to any large bone.
- Misspelling as 'canon bone'.
- Confusing it with the pastern bones above the hoof.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Cannon' (artillery) and 'cannon bone' are etymologically related (both from a root meaning 'tube' or 'reed'), but refer to completely different things. The bone is named for its straight, tubular shape.
Not by that name. The cannon bone in horses (the third metacarpal/metatarsal) is equivalent to the long bones in the palm of a human hand and the sole of the foot, but they are not fused into a single, solid structure as in equines.
Primarily in horses and other equines. It can also be correctly applied to similar bones in other ungulates like cattle, sheep, and deer when discussing their anatomy.
The cannon bone is a critical weight-bearing structure. Injuries to it (fractures, splints, bucked shins) are serious and can end an athletic horse's career. Its conformation affects soundness and performance.
The long bone between the fetlock and the knee (carpus) in a horse's foreleg, or the hock (tarsus) in the hind leg.
Cannon bone is usually technical/specialized in register.
Cannon bone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkænən bəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkænən boʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no common idioms featuring 'cannon bone'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a horse's leg as a cannon: the 'cannon bone' is the sturdy, straight barrel part below the knee/hock. Not the weapon, but the shape.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRUCTURE IS ARCHITECTURE / THE BODY IS A MACHINE: The cannon bone is a pillar or a load-bearing column in the architecture of the leg.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cannon bone'?