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Bovine Forelimb - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)

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→‎Common Structures of the Distal Forelimb

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==Common Structures of the Distal Forelimb==

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~~===Radius===~~

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While in the human the radius and ulna are separated by an interosseus space and articulate only at their extremities, allowing for significant capability of supination and pronation, these movements are much more limited in domestic animals due to the gradual fusing of the two bones. The extreme case is exhibited by the horse.

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*The Radius forms the shaft-like rod of the distal limb, which is bowed to varying degrees amont species

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*The radius articulates proximally with the distal humerus, caudally with the ulna, and distally with the carpus

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*Medially on the distal articular process, a '''styloid process''' projects, which is mirrored laterally by the ulna

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~~===Ulna===~~

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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===

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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'''

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==Joints of the Distal Forelimb==

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