1,351
edits
Changes
Forelimb - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 11:45, 14 August 2008
, 11:45, 14 August 2008→Common Structures of the Distal Forelimb
The Ulna's greatest contribution to functional anatomy is in the formation of the '''Olecranon''', or the point of the elbow, which gives rise to the attachment of the '''triceps'''. The olecranon articulates with the humerus via its anconeal process. Distally (where unfused), the '''lateral styloid process''' articulates with the '''ulnar carpal bone'''.
The Ulna's greatest contribution to functional anatomy is in the formation of the '''Olecranon''', or the point of the elbow, which gives rise to the attachment of the '''triceps'''. The olecranon articulates with the humerus via its anconeal process. Distally (where unfused), the '''lateral styloid process''' articulates with the '''ulnar carpal bone'''.
'''[[Carpal bones - Anatomy & Physiology|Carpal bones]]'''
*'''[[Metacarpal bones - Anatomy & Physiology|Metacarpals]]'''
Carpal bones comprise two rows:
*Proximally, (mediolaterally), radial, intermediate, ulnar and accessory bones
**The accessory bone serves as a landmark for palpation
*Distally, bones are numbered 1-5, though 5 is always fused with 4
*A small '''sesamoid''' bone embedded in the medial tissues of the joint can sometimes be mistaken as a chip fracture
'''[[Metacarpal bones - Anatomy & Physiology|Metacarpals]]'''
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'''
==Joints of the Distal Forelimb==
==Joints of the Distal Forelimb==