The navicular bone is also known by which term?

• A. navicular bone
• B. proximal sesamoid
• C. distal sesamoid
• D. carpal bone

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that the navicular bone is classified as a distal sesamoid bone. In hoof anatomy, sesamoid bones include those at the fetlock (proximal sesamoids) and the one inside the hoof behind the coffin bone (the navicular bone), which is the distal sesamoid. This naming reflects its position toward the tip of the toe (distal) and its role within the tendon system that passes over the coffin joint. The carpal bones, for comparison, are in the wrist, not in the hoof, so they aren’t related to the navicular bone. Therefore, the navicular bone is known as the distal sesamoid.