Changes

**Caudally, all species show an '''olecranon fossa''' which articulates with the '''olecranon''' of the ulna

**Caudally, all species show an '''olecranon fossa''' which articulates with the '''olecranon''' of the ulna

*Medial and lateral epicondyles provide attachment for flexors and extensors of the carpus and digits

*Medial and lateral epicondyles provide attachment for flexors and extensors of the carpus and digits

==Joints of the Proximal Forelimb==

==Joints of the Proximal Forelimb==

*The [[Joints - Anatomy & Physiology#Types of Joints|'''pivot joint''']] between the radius and ulna

*The [[Joints - Anatomy & Physiology#Types of Joints|'''pivot joint''']] between the radius and ulna

*The point of the elbow, or the '''olecranon''' is formed by the anconeal process of the ulna inserting into the olecranon fossa of the humerus

*The point of the elbow, or the '''olecranon''' is formed by the anconeal process of the ulna inserting into the olecranon fossa of the humerus

==Common Structures of the Distal Forelimb==

==Common Structures of the Distal Forelimb==

The number of metacarpals varies widely among species, as the demand for their function changes: '''plantigrade''', or flat-footed, animals requiring the full complement of five metacarpal bones; the number is reduced in the upright stature of '''digitigrade''' animals such as the dog and cat, and shows the extreme in '''unguligrades''' like the horse, who depends entirely on the third metacarpal bone for its stature.

The number of metacarpals varies widely among species, as the demand for their function changes: '''plantigrade''', or flat-footed, animals requiring the full complement of five metacarpal bones; the number is reduced in the upright stature of '''digitigrade''' animals such as the dog and cat, and shows the extreme in '''unguligrades''' like the horse, who depends entirely on the third metacarpal bone for its stature.

*Colloquially, the third metacarpal of the horse is known as the '''canon''' bone, and the vestigial 2 and 4 as '''splint bones'''

*Colloquially, the third metacarpal of the horse is known as the '''canon''' bone, and the vestigial 2 and 4 as '''splint bones'''

==Joints of the Distal Forelimb==

==Joints of the Distal Forelimb==

The metacarpal joint is defined by the presence of palmar [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Types of Bone|'''sesamoids''']], which allow the flexor tendons to pass over the sharp change in angle presented by the joint.  These are paired on each digit, with the exception of the first digit where it exists.

The metacarpal joint is defined by the presence of palmar [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Types of Bone|'''sesamoids''']], which allow the flexor tendons to pass over the sharp change in angle presented by the joint.  These are paired on each digit, with the exception of the first digit where it exists.

==Muscles of the Forelimb==

==Muscles of the Forelimb==

*Action: retracting the limb, may also raise limb

*Action: retracting the limb, may also raise limb

*Innervation: brachial plexus, although in some species, dorsal spinal nerves can innervate

*Innervation: brachial plexus, although in some species, dorsal spinal nerves can innervate

===Deep Musculature Forelimb===

===Deep Musculature Forelimb===