Definition

Noun: - The tarsal joint of the hind leg in hoofed mammals: This is the major joint halfway up the hind limb of animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. It is anatomically equivalent to the human ankle joint.

Usage

The term "hock-joint" is a technical and anatomical term used primarily in veterinary science, zoology, and animal husbandry. It refers specifically to the complex joint in the hind leg. - It is often used when discussing animal anatomy, lameness, or injuries. - The simpler term "hock" is more commonly used in everyday contexts (e.g., equestrianism) to refer to this entire region.

Examples

• The veterinarian examined the horse's swollen hock-joint for signs of arthritis.
• In ruminants, the hock-joint is a critical structure for weight-bearing and locomotion.
• An injury to the hock-joint can severely limit an animal's mobility.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used to specify the exact anatomical joint, distinguishing it from the general "hock" area, which includes surrounding bones and tissues.

Variants and Related Words

• Hock (noun): The common term for the region or the joint itself.
  • The gelding had a bandage on its left hock.
• Tarsus (noun): The formal anatomical name for the cluster of bones that form this joint.
• Hook (noun): A colloquial term, primarily in cattle farming, for the hock.

Synonyms

• Tarsal joint
• Hind ankle (descriptive synonym)

Notes on Different Meanings

• Hock has a separate, unrelated meaning as a verb meaning "to pawn" (e.g., ) or as a noun for a type of wine (e.g., ). The compound "hock-joint" is only related to the anatomical meaning.

Noun

1. tarsal joint of the hind leg of hoofed mammals; corresponds to the human ankle