Canine Hindlimb Anatomy

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Osteology pelvic limb

The Pelvic limb bears 40-45% of the weight and provides the majority of the propulsion for locomotion.

Os coxae

• Tuber coxae end tubes sacrale both palpable
• Tuber ischii underneath hamstrings

Femur

• Greater trochanter lateral to the head of the humerus
• Lesser trochanter distal to head of humerus
• Trochanteric fossa: Caudal depression  between  the  trochanters
• Third trochanter: Lateral aspect distal to greater trochanter
• Extensor fossa. depression on lat condyle for insertion of long digital

extensor.

Femoral trochlea: Groove on cran femur for articulating with patella bound by two ridges of which the medial is thicker.

Fabellae

• Two small sesamoid bones embedded in the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle

Tibia

• Large tibial tuberosity  -  patellar ligament  
• Cochlea = two grooves seperated by a ridge

Fibula

• Does not bear much weight

Tarsals and metatarsals

• Dogs and cats have 7 tarsal bones
• Reduced first MT and digit (dew claw) often absent

Joints of the pelvic limb

Sacro-iliac

Type:

• Synchondrosis ( synovial joint - sacropelvic surface of illium
• Joint capsule present

ROM:

• Minimal. Designed for stability
• Accessory movements =  rot

Supporting structures:

• Dorsal and ventral Sacroiliac ligaments
• Sacrotuberous

Hip

Type:

• Ball and socket
• Femoral head and acetabulum of the illium, ischium and pubis
• A band of fibrocartilage on the rim of the acetabulum deepens acetabtilum

ROM:

• FL & Ext
• Minimal - add & abd

Supporting structures:

Acetabular lip (fibrocartilage) continues as transverse ligament

Ligament of the femoral head

Synovial structures and tendon sheaths:

• Large joint capsule
• Internal obturator

Stifle

Type:

• Hinge joint with  two cartilages/menisci
• Femur & tibia - fermorotibial (condylar)
• Femur & patella – femoropatellar (gliding joint)

ROM:

• Flexion and Extension
• At the end of flexion there is int rot
• At the end of extension there is ext rot

Supporting structures:

• Patellar ligament (patella is a sesamoid within the quadriceps  tendon)  
• Med collateral lig fused with joint capsule and med meniscus
• Lat collateral ligament: Separated from lat meniscus by popliteus tendon
• Cranial cruciate ligament: Caudolat femur to cranial tibial.
  • Prevents anterior translation of tibial relative to femur
• Caudal cruciate ligament: Craniomed femur to caudal tibia
  • prevents candal translation of tibial relative to femur
• Lateral meniscus has extra ligament— meniscofemoral lig
  • Connects caudal lat meniscus to femur
  • Femoropatellar ligaments – lat and med
  • Extend from epicondyles to patella

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