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→Proximal Hindlimb
===Proximal Hindlimb===
===Proximal Hindlimb===
The most proximal bone of the hindlimb is a long bone called the '''femur'''. The proximal end of the femur is curved in a medial direction so that the articular surface of the femur can articulate with the acetabulum of the pelvis (see above). The articulation surface of the femur is called the ''femoral head'' and is at an offset angle compared to the shaft (long axis) of the femur to facilitate articulation. The femoral head itself is spherical in shape and is connected to the shaft of the of the femur by a neck. The spherical head of the femur has a central non-articular area called the ''fovea'' through which the intracapsular ligament attaches. In canines the fovea is central within the femoral head. Lateral to the head of the femur is the ''greater trochanter'' which is a bony process which is approximately the same size as the femoral head and neck in canines. The greater trochanter gives rise to the extensor muscles of the hip (gluteal muscles)which attach to the ischial tuber. Slightly distal to the femoral head and medially there is another small bony protuberance called the ''lesser trochanter'' which gives insertion for the iliopsoas muscles.
The most proximal bone of the hindlimb is a long bone called the '''femur'''. The proximal end of the femur is curved in a medial direction so that the articular surface of the femur can articulate with the acetabulum of the pelvis (see above). The articulation surface of the femur is called the ''femoral head'' and is at an offset angle compared to the shaft (long axis) of the femur to facilitate articulation. The femoral head itself is spherical in shape and is connected to the shaft of the of the femur by a neck. The spherical head of the femur has a central non-articular area called the ''fovea'' through which the intracapsular ligament attaches. In canines the fovea is central within the femoral head. Lateral to the head of the femur is the ''greater trochanter'' which is a bony process which is approximately the same size as the femoral head and neck in canines. The greater trochanter gives rise to the extensor muscles of the hip (gluteal muscles)which attach to the ischial tuber. Slightly distal to the femoral head and medially there is another small bony protuberance called the ''lesser trochanter'' which gives insertion for the iliopsoas muscles.
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The shaft of the canine femur is essentially cylindrical in shape with a slightly flattened shape distally. The distal aspect of the femur articulates with the '''tibia''' and '''patella''' of the stifle joint. The articulation with the tibia is via two femoral condyles which project caudally and slightly medially and laterally from the shaft. Each condyle is seperated by a deep intercondylar fossa. The abaxial surfaces of each condyle provide attachment sites for the collateral ligaments of the stifle and the lateral condyle specifically provides attachments for the ''long digital extensor'' and ''peroneus tertius'' muscles. In canines there are also two small sesamoid bones also called ''fabellae'' which are situated within the origin of the ''gastrocnemius muscle''. On the cranial aspect of the femur there is a '''cranial trochlea''' that provides a groove within the bone to articulate with the patella. The '''patella''' is essentially a sesamoid bone that is involved within the insertion of the ''quadriceps femoris'' which is the main extensor of the stifle. The patella is oval in shape in canines and the influence of the patella is spread medially and laterally via ''parapatellar cartilages''.
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