Joints - Horse Anatomy
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Thoracic Limb
Shoulder Joint
The joint capsule attaches a very short distance from the periphery of the articular surfaces. The intertubercular (bicipital) bursa lies between the humeral tubercles, cushioning the bicipital tendon. The bursa and tendon are held in place by the transverse humeral retinaculum, running between the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus.
Elbow Joint
The joint capsule attaches to the articular surface of the condyle, the periphery of the olecranon fossa and the articular cartilage of the trochlear notch of the ulna. It fuses with the collateral ligaments. Paired collateral ligaments attach the epicondyles to the tuberosities of the radius and ulna.
Carpal Joint
The carpal joint is a compound joint composed of:
- The antebrachiocarpal joint between the radius/ulna and the proximal carpal bones
- The middle carpal joint between the two rows of carpal bones
- The carpometacarpal joint between the distal carpal bones and the proximal metacarpals
The joint is a synovial joint, comprising a common outer fibrous capsule and three inner synovial pouches, one for each joint. Collateral ligaments extend from the radius to the metacarpal bones on the medial and lateral aspect of the carpus. The carpal canal houses both the superficial and deep digital flexor tendon within a common synovial sheath.