Hind Limb: Anatomy Blood and Nerves

Question 1

Describe the proximal hindlimb blood supply

Answer 1

○ Aorta -> external iliac a. -> femoral a. (at hip) -> saphenous and caudal femoral branches (at stifle) -> popliteal a. (at stifle) -> cranial and caudal tibial aa. (at mid-tibia)
○ Cranial tibial becomes dorsal metatarsal artery at hock
§ Feel pulse between MTIII and MTIV

Question 2

Describe the mid-hindlimb blood supply

Answer 2

○ Caudal tibial a. joins saphenous a. (proximal to hock) –> medial and lateral plantar arteries (at hock)
○ Medial and lateral plant aa. Give off deep plantar branch –> medial and lateral plantar metatarsal arteries (distal to hock)

Question 3

Describe the distal hind limb blood supply

Answer 3

Dorsal metatarsal artery joints four plantar aa. (proximal to fetlock) -> lateral and medial plantar digital aa.

Question 4

Describe the proximal hindlimb motor nerves

Answer 4

Lumbosacral plexus (L4-S4)
- Femoral nerve -> cranial thigh muscles
- Stifle extensors
- Obturator nerve –> medial thigh muscles
- Hip adductors

Question 5

Describe the femoral nerve

Answer 5

As long as stifle can be fixed (femoral nerve), horse is still able to bear weight because of the stay apparatus

Question 6

Describe the distal hind limb motor nerves

Answer 6

○ Sciatic nerve (at hip) ->
§ Peroneal n.
- Flexors of hock
- Extensors of digit
§ Tibial n.
- Flexors of stifle
- Extensors of hock
- Flexors of digit

Question 7

Describe the hind limb sensory nerves

Answer 7

deep peroneal (cranial)

tibial (caudal)

Question 8

Describe the deep peroneal nerve

Answer 8

○ Deep peroneal n. –> medial and lateral dorsal metatarsal nn. (proximal to hock) –> dorsal digital nn. (at fetlock)
○ Dorsal ring blocks necessary in hind limb

Question 9

Describe the tibial nerve

Answer 9

○ Tibial n. –> medial and lateral plantar nerves (proximal to hock) –> medial and lateral plantar digital nerves (at fetlock)
○ Lateral and plantar n. gives off deep branch (distal to hock) –> medial and lateral plantar metatarsal nerves
○ Communicating branch between medial and lateral plantar nerves weak or absent in hind limb

Question 10

make sure to the know the blood and nerves of the hind limb