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Hindlimb - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 14:00, 15 August 2008
, 14:00, 15 August 2008→Joints of the Distal Hindlimb
==Joints of the Distal Hindlimb==
==Joints of the Distal Hindlimb==
*'''[[Stifle Joint - Anatomy & Physiology|Stifle Joint]]'''
===Stifle Joint===
A composite, incongruent hinge joint made up of the '''femerotibial joint''' and '''femeropatellar joint'''.
'''''Femerotibial Joint'''''
* Essentially this joint is formed between the femoral condyles and the proximal end of the tibia.
* A '''meniscus''' exists between each condyle and the tibia to compensate for any incongruency of the articular surfaces. The meniscus is a semilunar fibrocartilage with a thick, convex peripheral border and central thin, concave border. The surface facing the femoral condyles is concave and facing the tibia it is flattened.
* As a condylar joint the principal movements are '''flexion''' and '''extension''', but due to the presence of the menisci there is a limited amount of rotation.
* The '''fibrous layer''' of the joint capsule attaches to the margins of the articular surfaces and menisci and so completely encircles the femoral condyles.
* The '''synovial layer''' of the capsule covers the cruciates and forms a partition between the medial and lateral parts of the joint. These sacs are further seperated by the menisci into a proximal and distal communicating compartments.
* The lateral femerotibial joint contains two pouches; one ensheathes the origin of the tendinous origin of the politeal and the other ensheathes the origin of the long digital extensor at the extensor fossa.
'''''Meniscal Ligaments'''''
* '''Cranial tibial ligaments of the menisci''' - connecting the cranial aspect of the menisci to the medial and lateral cranial intercondyloid area of the tibia.
* '''Caudal tibial ligaments of the menisci''' - the medial ligament connects the caudal angle of the medial meniscus to the caudal intercondyloid area of the tibia. The lateral ligament connects the caudal angle of the lateral meniscus to the popliteal notch of the tibia.
* '''Femoral ligament of the lateral meniscus''' - connects the caudal angle of the lateral meniscus to the inside aspect of the medial femoral condyle.
* '''Transverse ligament''' - connects the cranial angles of the lateral and medial menisci. Found in carnivores and cattle.
'''''Femerotibial ligaments'''''
*'''Lateral and Medial Collateral Ligaments''' - The lateral connects the lateral epicondyle of the femur to both the lateral condyle of the tibia and the head of the fibula. The medial connects the medial epicondyle of the femur to just distal to the margin of the medial condyle of the tibia. This ligament fuses with the joint capsule and medial meniscus.
*'''Cranial and Caudal Cruciate Ligaments''' - These ligaments sit in the intercondyloid fossa of the femur inbetween the two synovial sacs. The cranial connects the lateral femoral condyle to the central intercondylar area of the tibia. The caudal connects the medial femoral condyle to the popliteal notch of the tibia.
*'''Oblique Popliteal Ligament''' - This is made of fibrous strands that are embedded in the joint capsule and run in latero-proximal to medial-distal direction.
'''''Femeropatellar Joint'''''
* This joint is formed between the articular surfaces of the patella and femur. The ligaments of this joint can grouped as the '''femeropatellar ligaments''' and the '''patellar ligament'''.
* Both these groups of ligaments are highly species specific and are discussed on the species pages.
*'''[[Patella - Anatomy & Physiology|Patella]]'''
*'''[[Patella - Anatomy & Physiology|Patella]]'''
*'''[[Tarsal Joint/Hock - Anatomy & Physiology|Tarsal Joint/Hock]]'''
*'''[[Tarsal Joint/Hock - Anatomy & Physiology|Tarsal Joint/Hock]]'''