Ruminant Limbs and Pelvis

Question 1

Answer 1

1. Radius
2. Ulna
3. Radial carpal bone
4. Intermediate carpal bone
5. Ulnar carpal bone
6. Accessory carpal bone

7 and 8. Fused 2nd and 3rd carpal bones

9. 4th carpal bone
10. 3rd metacarpal (fused with 4th)
11. 4th metacarpal (fused with 3rd)
12. 5th metacarpal

Question 2

Why are dairy cattle susceptible to hip dislocation?

Answer 2

shallow hip joint, no accessory ligament

little muscle mass around joint

oestrus behavior (mounting, etc)

hormones during calving soften ligaments

concrete floor housing

Question 3

What are some defining characteristics of the ruminant hindlimb?

Answer 3

Prominent tuber coxae

Fibula fused with tibia proximally

Centroquartal tarsal bone (fused central and 4th)

Fused 2nd and 3rd tarsal bone

Fused 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones (except at distal joint)

Question 4

Where do the flexor tendons insert? Extensor tendons?

Answer 4

SDFT: P2 on each digit

DDFT: P3 on each digit

Common/long digital extensor: 2 bellies insert P2 medial digit and P3 medial and lateral digit

Lateral digital extensor: insert P2 lateral digit

Question 5

What ligament is important for supporting and helping to prevent the digits from splaying?

Answer 5

Interdigital ligaments

Question 6

What veins are good for local anesthesia, superficial or deep in the limbs?

Answer 6

Superficial, they do not have satellite arteries

Question 7

What nerve is important during calving as it can become damaged?

Answer 7

Obturator nerve

Will affect adduction of limb, splayed legs

Question 8

What will you see if the sciatic nerve has been paralyzed?

Answer 8

Lowered hock