Investigation into the morphology of the third metacarpal bone in the horse.
Abstract: To describe key morphological attributes of the third metacarpal bone (Mc3) of horses and to determine whether or not the symmetry of the Mc3 varied significantly between limbs of the same horse. Methods: Ten pairs of metacarpi were collected from slaughter facilities. The age and breed of the horses were recorded. Fixed points and axes that could be easily reproduced between bones were identified on high-quality photographic images of each bone. Using image analysis, three angles were measured. Angle gamma measured the rotation around the long axis of the diaphysis of Mc3, angle delta the angle between the dorsal long axis of the cannon bone and the surface of the condyle of Mc3, and angle theta the angle between the surface of the condyle and the long axis of the sagittal ridge of the condyle of Mc3. These angles represent some of the characteristic morphologic relationships within the equine Mc3. Results: The coefficient of variation for angles gamma, delta and theta and were 1.2%, 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. Angle gamma was larger in the left compared with the right limb (p=0.041). Angles delta and theta were larger in the right compared with the left limb (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). There was a single outlier in a left limb for angle gamma. When this was excluded from the analysis, angle gamma in the left limb was still larger than in the right limb. Angle delta was consistently greater than 90° in 19/20 metacarpi. Conclusions: There were significant morphological differences in the Mc3 between the left and right limbs of the 10 horses examined. These findings provide some reliable reference data for future investigation. Further work is required to document these differences in a larger population of horses and to determine whether the morphology of the Mc3 is influenced by age or other factors such as use of the animal.
Publication Date: 2012-04-18 PubMed ID: 22512622DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2011.651056Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 research investigates different angles and features of the third metacarpal bone (Mc3), also known as the cannon bone, in horses. The study found observable morphological differences in this bone between the horse’s left and right limbs.
Methods
- The investigation started by collecting 10 pairs of metacarpi (plural of metacarpus, meaning the collection of bones found in the feet and hands) from horses in slaughterhouse facilities.
- The age and breed of each horse were recorded to possibly track any variations owing to these factors.
- The research team captured high-quality photographic images of each metacarpus to clearly identify fixed points and axes that could be distinguished and compared between bones.
- Three specific angles defined by various points and axes on the bone were measured via image analysis:
- Angle gamma, representing the rotation around the long axis of the diaphysis (shaft) of Mc3.
- Angle delta, showcasing the angle between the dorsal long axis of the cannon bone and the surface of the condyle (round, protruding articular surface at the end of the bone) of Mc3.
- Angle theta, demonstrating the angle between the surface of the condyle and the long axis of the sagittal ridge of the condyle of Mc3.
Results
- The coefficient of variation was calculated for angles gamma, delta, and theta and was found to be 1.2%, 0.2%, and 0.5%, respectively.
- Reports showed that angle gamma was larger in the left limb compared with the right, whereas angles delta and theta were larger in the right limb compared with the left.
- Findings also revealed that out of the 20 metacarpi, 19 had an angle delta consistently greater than 90°.
Conclusion
- This study concluded that there were significant morphological differences in the Mc3 between the left and right limbs of the 10 horses examined.
- This research can be used as a good reference for further investigation on the topic.
- However, more work is required to document these differences in a larger population of horses and to determine whether factors like age or other functional factors affect the morphology of the Mc3.
Cite This Article
APA
Dymock DC, Pauwels FE.
(2012).
Investigation into the morphology of the third metacarpal bone in the horse.
N Z Vet J, 60(4), 223-227.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2011.651056 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. dymockd@ufl.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Metacarpal Bones / anatomy & histology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Paśko S, Dzierzęcka M, Purzyc H, Charuta A, Barszcz K, Bartyzel BJ, Komosa M. The Osteometry of Equine Third Phalanx by the Use of Three-Dimensional Scanning: New Measurement Possibilities. Scanning 2017;2017:1378947.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
