The canine metatarsal pad is large and heart-shaped, and functions to cushion the foot. The pad is covered by a naked, densely cornified epidermis, which is usually highly pigmented and is the toughest region of the canine skin. The digital cushion or bulk of the foot pad is composed of a subcutaneous adipose tissue, partitioned by reticular, collagenous and elastic fibres. The subcutis of the canine footpads contains sweat glands embedded in the adipose tissue. The ducts of these glands channel through the thick epidermis of the foot pad. The secretions from these glands function as territorial or trail markers[MURDOCH:1334].

uberon

metatarsal pad, fore foot pad, plantar pads, metatarsal foot pad

UBERON:0008840