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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anat Histol Embryol / Digit innervation of the thoracic limb of Criollo horses: An...
Anatomia, histologia, embryologia2020; 49(6); 728-736; doi: 10.1111/ahe.12567

Digit innervation of the thoracic limb of Criollo horses: Anatomical description and consequences to perineural blocks.

Abstract: Criollo horse breeding is an important economic activity in South America. Because of their athletic performance, these animals tend to show great incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, many of them diagnosed by means of perineural blocks. However, incorrect interpretation of these blocks may be due to anatomical differences in nerve distribution. The objective of this study was to describe the innervation of the digit region of thoracic limbs in Criollo horses, in order to improve the interpretation of tests for claudication diagnosis based on nerve block. Thirty thoracic limbs from Criollo horses were dissected. It could be observed that in 90% of the limbs, dorsal branches of the palmar nerve originated proximally to the proximal sesamoid bone. In 93% of the cases, the palmar digital nerve and the dorsal branches communicated; in 87% of the cases, communication between branches of the dorsal branch was observed; and in 27% (8/30) of the limbs, the palmar metacarpal nerve and the dorsal branch presented communications. None of the specimens showed complete symmetry in the distribution of nerves in contralateral limbs. The high frequency of communication between the nerves may be a particularity of the Criollo breed that may interfere with the interpretation of perineural blocks. Based on the anatomical position, it may be inferred that divergent results in Criollo horses may occur when abaxial sesamoid nerve block is used. Palmar digital nerve block may be less influenced by these variations, provided it is performed as distal as possible from the ungular cartilage.
© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-08 PubMed ID: 32383823DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12567Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the unique nerve structures of Criollo horses‘ thoracic limbs which primarily affect the correct identification of musculoskeletal disorders. Through dissection of 30 horse limbs, researchers identified atypical nerve connections present in high frequencies which can significantly impact the interpretation of nerve blocks used for diagnosing lameness.

Research Methodology and Findings

  • The research involved the dissection and study of the thoracic limbs of 30 Criollo horses, a breed popular in South America known for its athletic performance.
  • The investigators found that in 90% of the limbs, the dorsal branches of the palmar nerve, which are associated with the digital or ‘toe’ region of the horse, originated closer to the proximal sesamoid bone than previously known.
  • In 93% of the cases, the palmar digital nerve and dorsal branches had a communicative connection; a similar communication was observed between branches of the dorsal branch in 87% of the cases.
  • Communicative links between the palmar metacarpal nerve and dorsal branch were found in 27% (8 out of 30) of the limbs.
  • One significant result was the lack of complete symmetry in nerve distribution between contralateral (opposite) limbs.

Implications of the Findings

  • The observed high frequency of communication between the nerves is suggested to be a unique feature of the Criollo breed. These anatomical differences can complicate the interpretation of perineural blocks — a diagnostic method for musculoskeletal disorders that involves temporarily blocking nerve signals.
  • Specifically, the abaxial sesamoid nerve block could yield divergent results in Criollo horses due to the proximal location of the dorsal branches of the palmar nerve.
  • However, the palmar digital nerve block might be less affected by these variations as it’s performed as distally (away from the center of the body) as possible from the ungular cartilage.
  • Overall, the findings highlight the need for breed-specific approaches when diagnosing lameness or other musculoskeletal disorders in horses, given the potential for structural variation even within the same breed.

Cite This Article

APA
Silveira BB, Souza EC, Dos Santos MDN, Porciuncula ML, Azevedo MDS, Duarte CA, de Carvalho AD, de Souza Junior P. (2020). Digit innervation of the thoracic limb of Criollo horses: Anatomical description and consequences to perineural blocks. Anat Histol Embryol, 49(6), 728-736. https://doi.org/10.1111/ahe.12567

Publication

Anatomia, histologia, embryologia
ISSN: 1439-0264
NlmUniqueID: 7704218
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 6
Pages: 728-736

Researcher Affiliations

Silveira, Bruno Belmonte
  • Laboratory of Animal Anatomy of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.
Souza, Erick Candiota
  • Laboratory of Animal Anatomy of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.
Dos Santos, Matheus Damasceno Nunes
  • Laboratory of Animal Anatomy of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.
Porciuncula, Marcelo Lameiro
  • Laboratory of Animal Anatomy of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.
Azevedo, Marcos da Silva
  • Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.
Duarte, Claudia Acosta
  • Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.
de Carvalho, Amarílis Díaz
  • Laboratory of Animal Anatomy of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.
de Souza Junior, Paulo
  • Laboratory of Animal Anatomy of Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Female
  • Forelimb / innervation
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / classification
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
  • Lameness, Animal / etiology
  • Male
  • Microdissection / veterinary
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / etiology
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
  • Nerve Block / veterinary
  • South America

Grant Funding

  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
  • Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA)
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS)

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