Page 84 - Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 7th Edition

50 Chapter 1

Common peroneal n.
Tibial n.
VetBooks.ir Caudal cutaneous sural n. Popliteal lymph nodes

Medial head of Lateral head of
gastrocnemius m. (cut) gastrocnemius m. (cut)
Popliteus m.

Tarsal tendon of biceps femoris m.

Superficial digital flexor m.
Tibialis caudalis m.

Long digital flexor m.

Tendon of the gastrocnemius m. Caudal cutaneous sural n. (retracted)

Figure 1.45. Dissection of caudal aspect of right stifle and crus. Please note that the term “fibularis” has superseded “peroneus”
f
( ibular rather than peroneal), although both are widely used.
of the femorotibial joint and the crural fascia partitioned into three distinct sacs: the femoropatellar sac
(Figure 1.47). and right and left femorotibial joint sacs. 34
The medial collateral ligament of the femorotibial
joint extends from the medial epicondyle of the femur to Femoropatellar Joint
just distal to the margin of the medial tibial condyle
(Figure 1.47). In its course, it detaches fibers to the The patella is a sesamoid bone between the termina­
medial meniscus. The adductor muscle inserts on the tion of the quadriceps femoris muscle and the three
ligament and the medial epicondyle. The medial femoro­ patellar ligaments constituting the tendon of insertion.
patellar ligament is thinner than its lateral counterpart. The articular surface of the patella is much smaller than
It extends from proximal to the medial epicondyle of the the trochlear surface of the femur; the larger gliding sur­
femur to the parapatellar fibrocartilage, blending with face of the trochlea accommodates the proximal–distal
the femoropatellar joint capsule in its course. movements of the patella. Contact between the patella
and trochlea changes as the patella moves on its gliding
surface. During full extension and “locking” of the stifle,
Stifle Joint
the patella is rolled onto to its narrow distal articular
The stifle is the “true knee.” It comprises two joints, the surface (resting surface). The narrow craniodorsal sur­
femoropatellar and femorotibial joints, which together face of the proximal part of the trochlea offers a compli­
form a hinge joint. The synovial space of the stifle is mentary resting surface for the patella in this position. 37