Rangifer tarandus, the northern species including both reindeer and caribou, is a pillar of northern ecosystems and the lives of northern peoples. As the only domestic cervid, reindeer are important not only to the herders and hunters who presently interact with them, but also to zooarchaeologists and palaeontologists tracing their histories. Unfortunately, limited anatomical information on Rangifer tarandus muscles is available beyond descriptions of the large muscle groups. The lower limb and hoof in particular is poorly documented. This is problematic, as this important body part has the potential to be informative in zooarchaeological analyses of habitual activity, especially in regards to historical animal health, movement, and habitual activity. Better understanding of the hoof can additionally be useful to herders and veterinarians seeking to provide veterinary care for living animals. This study has used dissections and comparisons of the reindeer hoof with other domestic ungulates to document both the common and unique structures in Rangifer tarandus hooves, including the presence and attachment points of these structures. As these structures have proved unique, especially in regards to the dewclaw, it is important that other ungulates not be used exclusively in the analysis of Rangifer tarandus remains.

Rangifer tarandus是北方物种，​​包括驯鹿和北美驯鹿，是北方生态系统和北方人民生活的支柱。作为唯一的家养鹿科动物，驯鹿不仅对目前与之互动的牧民和猎人很重要，而且对追溯其历史的动物考古学家和古生物学家也很重要。不幸的是， Rangifer tarandus的解剖学信息有限肌肉可用超出大肌肉群的描述。尤其是下肢和蹄子的记录很少。这是有问题的，因为这个重要的身体部位有可能在动物考古学分析习惯性活动中提供信息，特别是在历史动物健康、运动和习惯性活动方面。更好地了解蹄对寻求为活体动物提供兽医护理的牧民和兽医也很有用。本研究使用驯鹿蹄与其他家养有蹄类动物的解剖和比较来记录Rangifer tarandus的常见和独特结构蹄，包括这些结构的存在和附着点。由于这些结构已被证明是独一无二的，特别是在狼爪方面，重要的是其他有蹄类动物不能专门用于分析Rangifer tarandus遗骸。