Distal forelimb (manus)

Question 1

what is a check ligament and why is it so named

Answer 1

• provide passive support without expenditure of muscular effort
• checking = preventing dropping of fetlock

Question 2

examples of check ligaments

Answer 2

• proximal check ligament (prevents buckling forward of digit by pulling back on middle phalanx
• distal check ligament (counteracts extension of distal phalanx)

Question 3

indications for check ligament desmotomy

Answer 3

contracted tendons or laminitis

Question 4

hind limb analog of ling head of triceps

Answer 4

vastus medialis of quadriceps femoris

Question 5

hind limb analog of brachiocephalicus

Answer 5

middle gluteal

Question 6

hind limb analog of cephalic vein

Answer 6

medial saphenous

Question 7

carpal canal structure and contents

Answer 7

• formed via accessory carpal bone lateral, other carpal bones dorsally, flexor retinaculum on palmar side
• contains tendons and synovial sheaths of superficial and deep digital flexor, ulnar and median nerve, arteries and veins

Question 8

tarsal canal structure and contents

Answer 8

• formed by tarsal bones and flexor retinaculum
• contains tendon and sheath of long digital extensor, plantar branch of saphenous artery and vein, medial/lateral plantar nerves

Question 9

superficial digital flexor muscles of forelimbs, actions, and check ligaments

Answer 9

• SDF arises from medial epicondyle of humerus and inserts on proximal end of middle phalanx and distal end of proximal phalanx
• SDF extends carpus and digits
• proximal check ligament is the radial head of SDF m and attaches to the middle phalanx to prevent buckling forward of digit

Question 10

superficial digital flexor muscles of hindlimbs, actions, check ligaments

Answer 10

• SDF attaches to femur deep to gastrocnemius, attaches superficially to calcanean tuberosity, extends to plantar aspect of the limb and the middle phalange
• SDF responsible for flexing the stifle and digits and extending the tarsus
• no check ligaments are associated with SDF

Question 11

differentiate between interosseus tendon and ligament

Answer 11

• interosseus ligament is between the olecranon and radius
• interosseus tendon is homologous to interosseus muscle in dogs except it is mostly tendonous and plays a role in the stay apparatus and locomotion

Question 12

clinical name of interosseus tendon

Answer 12

suspensory ligament

Question 13

compare/contrast lateral digital extensor tendons of fore and hind limbs

Answer 13

• forelimb: lateral digital extensor muscle extends to proximal or middle phalanges
• hindlimb: completely joins the long digital extensor muscle tendon

Question 14

compare/contrast the main digital extensor tendons of fore and hind limbs

Answer 14

• fore: common digital extensor tendon extends to distal phalanges
• hind: long digital extensor extends to distal phalanges

Question 15

what is the name and location of the major artery of the fore and hind cannon regions

Answer 15

• fore: medial palmar artery

- hind: dorsal pedal artery

Question 16

what is the lever type bone that projects out behind the carpus? what is it in the tarsus?

Answer 16

• carpus: accessory carpal bone

- tarsus: tuber calcis

Question 17

what are the attachments of the interosseus tendon

Answer 17

cannon bone and lateral sides of proximal sesamoid bones

Question 18

what can be palpated on the long pastern bone

Answer 18

extensor branch of the suspensory ligament

Question 19

what does the palmar carpal ligament give rise to

Answer 19

• forms dorsal wall of the carpal canal

- extends beyond the carpus to form the distal check ligament

Question 20

what are the 3 carpal joints and how much movement is in each

Answer 20

• radiocarpal: considerable movement (most)
• intercarpal: considerable movement
• carpometacarpal: virtually no movement

Question 21

differentiate between the suspensory apparatus and suspensory ligament

Answer 21

• apparatus: suspensory ligament plus distal sesamoidean ligaments (3 tendons form a passive support system for the fetlock)
• ligament: just the ligament

Question 22

what is the break joint and significance in sheep production

Answer 22

• distal cannon bone physis

- if physis is broken at the slaughter house, the animal is considered to be a lamb

Question 23

what parts are similar in fore and hind limb stay mechanisms

Answer 23

suspensory apparatus