Anatomy and Common Injuries of the Equine Forelimb: Difference between revisions
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<div class="editorbox"> '''Original Editor '''- [[User:Jess Bell|Jess Bell]] '''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}</div> | <div class="editorbox"> '''Original Editor '''- [[User:Jess Bell|Jess Bell]] '''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}</div> | ||
An understanding of equine anatomy is essential in veterinary practice to ensure that an accurate diagnosis is made and, therefore, that the correct management option is selected. | == Anatomy of the Forelimb == | ||
An understanding of equine anatomy is essential in veterinary practice to ensure that an accurate diagnosis is made and, therefore, that the correct management option is selected.<ref name=":0">Hinkle FD, Johnson SA, KT, Selberg, MF Barrett. A review of normal radiographical variants commonly mistaken for pathological findings in horses. Equine Veterinary Education. 2020;32(12):664-72.</ref> | |||
Normal Anatomy | == Normal Anatomy == | ||
The forelimb (also known as the thoracic limb) in the horse is adapted for extension and ground covering | The forelimb (also known as the thoracic limb) in the horse is adapted for extension and ground covering. This limb carries 55 to 60 percent of the horse’s body weight, and a large proportion of the rider’s weight as well.<ref name=":1">Legg K. Anatomy and Common Injuries of the Equine Forelimb Course. Physioplus, 2021.</ref> | ||
The shoulder girdle (scapula, coracoid, clavicle) is greatly reduced in the equine limb. The clavicle is only present as a fibrous strip in the brachiocephalicus muscle. | The shoulder girdle (scapula, coracoid, clavicle) is greatly reduced in the equine limb. The clavicle is only present as a fibrous strip in the brachiocephalicus muscle.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
Scapula: | Scapula:<ref name=":1" /> | ||
Wide, semilunar scapular cartilage | * Wide, semilunar scapular cartilage | ||
Palpable tuber on the scapular spine | * Palpable tuber on the scapular spine | ||
No acromion | * No acromion | ||
Humerus:<ref name=":1" /> | |||
Humerus: | * Short and thickened | ||
Short and thickened | * Has a deep bicipital groove | ||
Has a deep bicipital groove | Radius and Ulna:<ref name=":1" /> | ||
* Only the radius supports the humerus at the elbow joint | |||
Radius and Ulna | * The ulna is fused to the radius | ||
Only the radius supports the humerus at the elbow joint | * Proximally, the ulna reaches to the fifth rib | ||
The ulna is fused to the radius | Carpal Bones:<ref name=":1" /> | ||
Proximally, the ulna reaches to the fifth rib | * The proximal row of carpal bones consists of the radial, intermediate, ulnar and accessory carpal bones (medial to lateral) | ||
* The distal row consists of the first, second, third and fourth carpal bones. The first bone is small and not consistent | |||
Carpal Bones | Metacarpal (MC) Bones:<ref name=":1" /> | ||
The proximal row of carpal bones consists of the radial, intermediate, ulnar and accessory carpal bones (medial to lateral) | * Only MC2, MC3, MC4 are present | ||
The distal row consists of the first, second, third and fourth carpal bones. The first bone is small and not consistent | * MC2 and MC4 are reduced and are also known as splint bones. They are connected to MC3 by fibrous tissue | ||
* MC3 (also called the “cannon bone”) is well developed and carries all of the horse’s weight | |||
Metacarpal (MC) Bones | Phalanges (P):<ref name=":1" /> | ||
Only MC2, MC3, MC4 are present | * The proximal phalanx (P1) is the longest of the phalanges | ||
MC2 and MC4 are reduced and are also known as splint bones. They are connected to MC3 by fibrous tissue | * The middle phalanx (P2) is half the length of PI. It has a large flexor tuberosity to which the superficial digital flexor tendon attaches | ||
MC3 (also called the “cannon bone”) is well developed and carries all of the horse’s weight | * The distal phalanx (P3 or the “coffin bone”) is a spongy bone to which the deep digital flexor tendon attaches | ||
Sesamoid Bones:<ref name=":1" /> | |||
Phalanges (P) | * The proximal and distal sesamoid bones are clinically important. The proximal bones articulate with M3 while the distal bone (i.e. the navicular) lies within the hoof and contacts the middle and distal phalanges. | ||
The proximal phalanx (P1) is the longest of the phalanges | There are a number of normal anatomical variations between horses that are visible on radiography. If these features are misinterpreted, inappropriate management may be prescribed, which can have a significant impact on a patient’s outcome.<ref name=":0" /> Some examples of normal variations in the equine front limb are:<ref name=":0" /> | ||
The middle phalanx (P2) is half the length of PI. It has a large flexor tuberosity to which the superficial digital flexor tendon attaches | * Variable conformation in the dorsodistal aspect of the middle phalanx (P2) and extensor process of the distal phalanx (P3). Some horses have smooth-rounded surfaces, whereas others have pointed margins with sharp contours, which can be misdiagnosed as degenerative changes | ||
The distal phalanx (P3 or the “coffin bone”) is a spongy bone to which the deep digital flexor tendon attaches | * Some horses may have a crescent-shaped lucent region in their navicular, which needs to be distinguished from flexor cortical lysis | ||
* Some skeletally mature horses may have an incomplete closure of the ossification centre between the ulna styloid process and distal radius. This can be mistaken for a fracture of the distal radius | |||
Sesamoid Bones: | * The concave margin on the glenoid notch of the scapula appears as an ovoid lucent region on x-ray, which can be misdiagnosed as a subchondral bone defect or cyst | ||
The proximal and distal sesamoid bones are clinically important. The proximal bones articulate with M3 while the distal bone (i.e. the navicular) lies within the hoof and contacts the middle and distal phalanges. | * Some horses have an incidental variation on the mid dorsal aspect of the medial trochlear ridges of their talus - it can be flattened or focally concave. This needs to be distinguished from osteochondrosis | ||
* The trochlear ridges of the femur of juvenile horses have irregular articular margins, which can be challenging to interpret when there is a suspicion of joint sepsis |
Revision as of 08:44, 11 March 2021
Anatomy of the Forelimb[edit | edit source]
An understanding of equine anatomy is essential in veterinary practice to ensure that an accurate diagnosis is made and, therefore, that the correct management option is selected.[1]
Normal Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The forelimb (also known as the thoracic limb) in the horse is adapted for extension and ground covering. This limb carries 55 to 60 percent of the horse’s body weight, and a large proportion of the rider’s weight as well.[2]
The shoulder girdle (scapula, coracoid, clavicle) is greatly reduced in the equine limb. The clavicle is only present as a fibrous strip in the brachiocephalicus muscle.[2]
Scapula:[2]
- Wide, semilunar scapular cartilage
- Palpable tuber on the scapular spine
- No acromion
Humerus:[2]
- Short and thickened
- Has a deep bicipital groove
Radius and Ulna:[2]
- Only the radius supports the humerus at the elbow joint
- The ulna is fused to the radius
- Proximally, the ulna reaches to the fifth rib
Carpal Bones:[2]
- The proximal row of carpal bones consists of the radial, intermediate, ulnar and accessory carpal bones (medial to lateral)
- The distal row consists of the first, second, third and fourth carpal bones. The first bone is small and not consistent
Metacarpal (MC) Bones:[2]
- Only MC2, MC3, MC4 are present
- MC2 and MC4 are reduced and are also known as splint bones. They are connected to MC3 by fibrous tissue
- MC3 (also called the “cannon bone”) is well developed and carries all of the horse’s weight
Phalanges (P):[2]
- The proximal phalanx (P1) is the longest of the phalanges
- The middle phalanx (P2) is half the length of PI. It has a large flexor tuberosity to which the superficial digital flexor tendon attaches
- The distal phalanx (P3 or the “coffin bone”) is a spongy bone to which the deep digital flexor tendon attaches
Sesamoid Bones:[2]
- The proximal and distal sesamoid bones are clinically important. The proximal bones articulate with M3 while the distal bone (i.e. the navicular) lies within the hoof and contacts the middle and distal phalanges.
There are a number of normal anatomical variations between horses that are visible on radiography. If these features are misinterpreted, inappropriate management may be prescribed, which can have a significant impact on a patient’s outcome.[1] Some examples of normal variations in the equine front limb are:[1]
- Variable conformation in the dorsodistal aspect of the middle phalanx (P2) and extensor process of the distal phalanx (P3). Some horses have smooth-rounded surfaces, whereas others have pointed margins with sharp contours, which can be misdiagnosed as degenerative changes
- Some horses may have a crescent-shaped lucent region in their navicular, which needs to be distinguished from flexor cortical lysis
- Some skeletally mature horses may have an incomplete closure of the ossification centre between the ulna styloid process and distal radius. This can be mistaken for a fracture of the distal radius
- The concave margin on the glenoid notch of the scapula appears as an ovoid lucent region on x-ray, which can be misdiagnosed as a subchondral bone defect or cyst
- Some horses have an incidental variation on the mid dorsal aspect of the medial trochlear ridges of their talus - it can be flattened or focally concave. This needs to be distinguished from osteochondrosis
- The trochlear ridges of the femur of juvenile horses have irregular articular margins, which can be challenging to interpret when there is a suspicion of joint sepsis
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hinkle FD, Johnson SA, KT, Selberg, MF Barrett. A review of normal radiographical variants commonly mistaken for pathological findings in horses. Equine Veterinary Education. 2020;32(12):664-72.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Legg K. Anatomy and Common Injuries of the Equine Forelimb Course. Physioplus, 2021.