A study of the shoulder and elbow joints of the donkey (Equus asinus) by gross anatomical dissection, radiography, computed tomography, and intra-articular injection.
Abstract: Joint diseases often represent the major part of equine clinician's caseloads. The current study aimed to document the normal anatomy of the donkey shoulder and elbow joints using computed tomography, cadaver sections, and radiography. Seven adult donkeys were used in this study. The current study proved there were no pouches of the donkey shoulder joint. Communication between the joint capsule and bicipital bursa was observed only in two limbs of four used in the present work. The joint was without pericapsular ligaments. The glenohumeral ligament was identified by the thickening of the articular capsule cranially. The shoulder joint approach for intra-articular injection is located on the lateral aspect corresponding to the humerus greater tubercle. The elbow joint capsule is attached to the margins of the articular surfaces of the humerus, radius, and ulna bones. It was thick on the cranial surface of the joint but became thinner caudally. The joint capsule of the elbow joint formed a single pouch cranially and three pouches caudally. The joint had medial and lateral collateral ligaments. The current study recorded that the lateral collateral ligament of the donkey elbow joint was not divided as in the horse, only the medial collateral ligament was divided into two parts; the long cranial and short caudal part. Elbow joint approach for intra-articular injection was in the cranial pouch on the cranial border of the lateral collateral ligament. The data collected within this study will be useful as a normal reference for donkey practitioners.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-08-11 PubMed ID: 34391658DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2021.07.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research examines the anatomy of the shoulder and elbow joints in donkeys, providing a detailed anatomical reference that could assist veterinarians in diagnosing and treating joint diseases.
Objective of the Study
- The primary aim of the study was to investigate and document the normal anatomy of the shoulder and elbow joints in donkeys. This was achieved through a range of techniques including computed tomography, cadaver sections, and radiography.
Research Methodology
- Seven adult donkeys were involved in the examination.
- Radiography and computed tomography were employed to capture images and data regarding the shoulder and elbow joints of the donkeys.
- Intra-articular injections were also used to further investigate the structure of the joints.
Research Findings – Shoulder Joint
- The shoulder joint of a donkey does not contain pouches.
- Communication between the joint capsule and bicipital bursa was found in only two out of four limbs.
- The joint lacked pericapsular ligaments.
- The presence of the glenohumeral ligament was identified through thickening of the articular capsule.
- For intra-articular injections, the approach is located on the lateral aspect corresponding to the greater tubercle of the humerus.
Research Findings – Elbow Joint
- The elbow joint’s capsule is connected to the articular surfaces of the humerus, radius, and ulna bones.
- The thickness of the joint capsule varies, being thicker on the frontal surface and thinner on the hind surface.
- The elbow joint’s capsule forms a single pouch anteriorly and three pouches posteriorly.
- Unlike the shoulder joint, the elbow joint has medial and lateral collateral ligaments.
- Among the two collateral ligaments, the lateral one was found to be undivided, while the medial one was divided into two parts – a long anterior part and a short posterior part.
- For intra-articular injections in the elbow, the approach would be in the anterior pouch on the front border of the lateral collateral ligament.
Application of Findings
- The data collected in this study provides a normal anatomical reference for donkey practitioners.
- This information could help in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of joint diseases, common in equine veterinary practice.
Cite This Article
APA
Alsafy MAM, Elbakary RMA, Bassuoni NF.
(2021).
A study of the shoulder and elbow joints of the donkey (Equus asinus) by gross anatomical dissection, radiography, computed tomography, and intra-articular injection.
Morphologie, 106(354), 177-187.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.morpho.2021.07.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Abees 10th, Alexandria, Egypt. Electronic address: Safy73@yahoo.com.
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Abees 10th, Alexandria, Egypt.
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Abees 10th, Alexandria, Egypt.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Elbow
- Equidae
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Articular
- Radiography
- Shoulder
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Nourinezhad J, Abdi A, Moarabi A, Hanafi MG, Fatahin Dehkordi RA, Tomańska A. Assessing Salivary Ductal Structures of the Donkey (Equus asinus) Using Conventional Sialography and Its Practical Guide. Vet Med Int 2025;2025:9920803.
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