Equine forelimb Flashcards
What are the 6 joints of the forelimb?
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Carpus
- Fetlock
- Pastern
- Coffin
Shoulder joint
Articulation between the scapula and humerus
Elbow joint
Articulation between the humerus and the radius and ulna
What are the 3 distinct joints of the carpus joint?
- Radio-carpal joint
- Inter-carpal joint
- Carpo-metacarpal joint
Radio-carpal joint
Btwn distal end of the radius and the first row of carpal bones (accessory, ulnar, intermediate and radial –> lateral to medial)
Inter-carpal joint
Btwn the first row of carpal bones and second row of carpal bones (4th, 3rd, 2nd –> lat to medial)
Carpo-metacarpal Joint
Btwn second row of carpal bones and second metacarpal bone (medial splint bone), third metacarpal bone (cannon bone) and fourth metacarpal bone (lateral splint bone)
Fetlock Joint
Btwn distal end of the 3rd metacarpal, proximal sesamoid bones and the first phalanx
Pasten Joint
Btwn first and second phalanx
Coffin joint
Btwn second phalanx, distal sesamoid bone/ navicular bone and third phalanx (coffin bone)
What is located @ the olecranon?
Olecranon bursa to reduce friction
CS: capped elbow/ shoe boil –> inflammation and calcification of this bursa (drain)
What important muscles are on the lateral side of the scapula?
Supraspinatus and infraspinatus and btwn them is the suprascapular nerve
CS of the suprascapular nerve?
Located directly under the skin –> trauma –> Sweeny –> lameness, scapular muscle atropy and prominent scapular spine
What important muscle is on the medial side?
Subscapularis
What are the muscles of the humerus?
Biceps and triceps muscles
Bicipital Bursa
Between the tendon of the origin of the biceps muscle and the head of the humerus
Insert needle between the biceps and humerus slightly above the level of the deltoid tuberosity
Passive Stay apparatus
Enables the horse to rest while standing and use a minimal amount of muscular energy
2 overflexions and 2 overextensions
What is the first structure under PSA that prevents overflexion of the shoulder join?
Tendon of the biceps
Under PSA, what prevents overflexion of the elbow?
Collateral ligaments and fibrous components of digit and carpus
They take over the weight because they fatigue slower than muscles
Under PSA, what prevents carpus overextension?
Flat dorsal part of the midcarpal joint, radiocarpal joint, carpal ligaments and pull of the ECR by the laceratus fibrosis
Under PSA, what prevents fetlock overextension?
Proximal sesamoid bone and ligaments
Suspensory ligament
What muscles are on the lateral surface of the radius?
ECR
ECO
CDE
LDE
UL
What muscles are on the latero-caudal surface of the radius?
Lacertus fibrosus (LF)
FCR
FCU
DDF
SDF
What is significant about the medial surface of the radius?
Contains no muscles, only periosteum
Periosteal stripping performed here
Periosteal stripping
Treats the angular limb deformities (one side of the bone grows faster than the other)
Done medially only!
Created a inverted T shape incision in the periosteum to promote growth
Valgus
Angular deformity where the medial side grows faster than the lateral side (toes out)
Varus
Angular deformity where the lateral side of the bone grows faster than the medial side (toes in)
Transphyseal Bridging
Slows growth (laterally done)
Two 5.5 mm screws adjacent to the growthplate of the carpus, connected by a wire
What is the function of the triceps and UL?
Extend the elbow
What is the function of the ECR, LDE, ECO, and CDE?
Extends the carpus
What is the function of the biceps and FCR?
Flexes the elbow
What is the function of the SDF and DDF?
Flexes the carpus and digit
Which tendons pass over the carpus dorsally?
Tendons of the ECR and CDE
What is significant of the tendon of the ECR?
Inserts on carpometacarpal joint capsule
Important landmark to access carpus joint
Needle inserted on either side of the ECR tendon
CS of the ECR and CDE
Hyperflexion
OCD/ chip fractures/ slab fractures
Bone cysts
Carpitis
CS of the tendon of the CDE
The only tendon that reaches the distal end of the forelimb dorsally
Inserts on the extensor process of the P3
Hyperflexion
What is extensor process of P3 a landmark for?
Landmark for accessing the coffin joint
Needle inserted on either side of process for arthrocentesis, joint anesthesia, and block injections
CS of the extensor process of P3
- Bony deposits and calcification causing pyramid disease
- Racehorse fractures
- Arthrocentesis
What does the musculocutaneous nerve innervate?
Biceps (flexors of the elbow)
What does the a axillary nerve innervate?
Flexors of the shoulder
What does the radial nerve innervate and what’s the CS?
Extensors of the elbow, carpus and digits
CS: Hyperflexion, radial nerve paralysis, dropped elbow