Page 76 - Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 7th Edition

42 Chapter 1

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Principal tendon of
deep digital flexor m. Cranial branch
(in tarsal sheath) of medial
saphenous v.
Medial malleolus

Superficial short medial
Long digital collateral ligament
flexor tendon
Middle short medial
collateral ligament
Dorsomedial pouch of
tarsocrural joint
Medial tendon of tibialis
cranialis m.
Superficial layer of the long
medial collateral ligament

Head of second
metatarsal bone

Figure 1.39. Medial view of left tarsus. The long medial “long digital flexor” is an alternative term for the medial head of the
collateral ligament has been cut and reflected. The tendon sheath of deep digital flexor muscle.
the long digital flexor tendon has been opened. Please note that
the tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle to become Deep to the superficial digital flexor, the long plantar
superficial as the tendons approach the calcaneal tuber. ligament is attached to the plantar surface of the calca­
The SDFT flattens and is joined by aponeurotic connec­ neus. It terminates distally on the fourth tarsal bone and
tions of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles. the proximal extremity of the fourth metatarsal bone
This tendinous complex attaches to the point and sides (Figure 1.38).
of the calcaneal tuber. The continuation of the tendon
then narrows and continues distad superficial to the
long plantar ligament. The tendon of the gastrocnemius, Tarsal Joint (Hock Joint)
deep to the superficial digital flexor at the hock, inserts The distal end of the tibia features deep grooves that
on the plantar surface of the calcaneal tuber. An elon­ constitute the cochlear articular surface. In the standing
gated bursa is interposed between the two tendons just position, the dorsal articular angle of the hock is around
above the tarsus. A smaller bursa is present between the 150°. The joint can be flexed to the extent that the
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SDFT and the calcaneal tuber. These two bursae usually metatarsus contacts the cranial crus. During flexion of
communicate across the lateral surface of the gastrocne­ the tarsocrural joint, the pes is directed slightly laterad
mius tendon. An inconstant subcutaneous bursa may due to the configuration of the joint. Joints between the
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develop over the superficial digital flexor at the level of tarsal bones of the same row, the intertarsal joints, and
the calcaneal tuber. the tarsometatarsal joint are capable of only a small