Changes

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

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''.  

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''.  

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Moving distally the stifle allows articulation between the '''tibia'''. The tibia has intimately related to the fibula which is a much smaller bone that runs parallel to the tibia. The tibia is medial to the fibula and effectively excludes the fibula from articulating with the femur. Proximally the tibia has two condyles to facilitate articulation wioth the femur. These condyles are seperated by a ''caudal popliteal notch'' that allows insertion of the popliteal muscle. The articular surfaces of the tibial condyles correspond to the condyles of the distal femur. The articular surface of the tibia also has small depressions and ridges that allow cruciate ligament attachment within the joint. Slightly distal to the tibial condyles and on the cranial aspect is the large and prominent ''tibial tuberosity'' which is continued distally on the cranial aspect of the tibia via the ''tibial crest'' which gradually reduces distally. Proximally and caudally, the articular surface of the tibia also proves a small facet for articulation with the fibula. The shape of the tibia proximally is triangular in cross-section but distally the tibia becomes more craniocaudally compressed. The distal point of the tibia has an articular surface called the ''cochlea'' which facilitates movement with the ''trochlea'' of the '''talus'''. The cochlea has a central bony prominence which is flanked medially and laterally with grooves. The medial cochlea has a bony salience called the ''medial malleolus''.  

Moving distally the stifle allows articulation between the '''tibia'''. The tibia has intimately related to the fibula which is a much smaller bone that runs parallel to the tibia. The tibia is medial to the fibula and effectively excludes the fibula from articulating with the femur. Proximally the tibia has two condyles to facilitate articulation wioth the femur. These condyles are seperated by a ''caudal popliteal notch'' that allows insertion of the popliteal muscle. The articular surfaces of the tibial condyles correspond to the condyles of the distal femur. The articular surface of the tibia also has small depressions and ridges that allow cruciate ligament attachment within the joint. Slightly distal to the tibial condyles and on the cranial aspect is the large and prominent ''tibial tuberosity'' which is continued distally on the cranial aspect of the tibia via the ''tibial crest'' which gradually reduces distally. Proximally and caudally, the articular surface of the tibia also proves a small facet for articulation with the fibula. The shape of the tibia proximally is triangular in cross-section but distally the tibia becomes more craniocaudally compressed. The distal point of the tibia has an articular surface called the ''cochlea'' which facilitates movement with the ''trochlea'' of the '''talus'''. The cochlea has a central bony prominence which is flanked medially and laterally with grooves. The medial cochlea has a bony salience called the ''medial malleolus''.  

<br />

<br />