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Anatomia, histologia, embryologia2020; 50(1); 151-160; doi: 10.1111/ahe.12613

Morphometric analysis of the intercarpal ligaments of the equine proximal carpal bones during simulated flexion and extension of cadaver limbs.

Abstract: Despite many reported cases of carpal lameness associated with intercarpal ligament injuries in horses, the morphometry, movement pattern and general intrinsic biomechanics of the carpus are largely unknown. Using osteoligamentous preparation of the carpus prepared from 14 equine cadaver forelimbs (aged 9.62 ± 4.25 years), locomotory simulations of flexion and extension movements of the carpal joint were carried out to observed carpal biomechanics and, thereafter, the limbs were further dissected to obtain morphometric measurements of the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MLC and LCL); medial and lateral palmar intercarpal ligaments (MPICL and LPICL); intercarpal ligaments between radial (Cr) and intermediate (Ci) carpal bones (Cr-Ci ICL); and intercarpal ligaments between Ci and ulnar (Cu) carpal bones (Ci-Cu ICL). The Cr, Ci, Cu and Ca are held together by a series of intercarpal ligaments and move in unison lateropalmarly during flexion, and mediodorsally during extension with a distinguishable proximo-distal sliding movement (gliding) of Cr and Ci against each other during movement. The mean length of MCL (108.82 ± 9.64 mm) was significantly longer (p = 0.042) than LCL (104.43 ± 7.65 mm). The Cr-Ci ICL has a dorsopalmar depth of 37.58 ± 4.14 mm and a midpoint width of 12.05 ± 3.09 mm and its fibres ran diagonally from the medial side of the Ci in a proximo-palmar disto-dorsal direction (i.e. palmarodistally) to the lateral side of the Cr. The specialized movement of the Cr-Ci ICL, which appeared to be further facilitated by a longer MCL suggest a biomechanical function by which carpal damage may be minimized in the equine carpus.
© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-09 PubMed ID: 32901991DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12613Google 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 behavior of intercarpal ligaments in horse forelimbs during simulated movements, aiming to shed light on carpal lameness in horses. It provides details on these ligaments’ characteristics and shares novel insights into their role in preserving joint health.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers prepared osteoligamentous samples from 14 equine cadaver forelimbs, aged roughly between 5 and 14 years, which were used to simulate the movements of the carpal joint, specifically flexion and extension movements.
  • After these simulations, the researchers dissected the limbs further to measure four sets of ligaments: Medial and Lateral Collateral Ligaments (MCL and LCL), Medial and Lateral Palmar Intercarpal Ligaments (MPICL and LPICL), and Intercarpal Ligaments both between radial and intermediate carpal bones (Cr-Ci ICL), and between intermediate and ulnar carpal bones (Ci-Cu ICL).

Major Findings

  • The simulations showed that the carpal bones move in synchronization during flexion, moving laterally and palmarly, and during extension, moving medially and dorsally.
  • There is a noticeable proximo-distal sliding movement, or gliding, between the radial (Cr) and intermediate (Ci) carpal bones during these movements.
  • Another observation was that the MCL was significantly longer than the LCL. The mean MCL length was around 108.82 mm while the LCL was roughly 104.43 mm.
  • Morphometric analysis of the Cr-Ci ICL revealed a dorsopalmar depth of about 37.58 mm and a midpoint width of 12.05 mm. The fibers of this ligament ran from the medial side of the intermediate carpal bone to the lateral side of the radial carpal bone.

Implications of the Study

  • The unique motion of the radial and intermediate carpal bones, coupled with the additional length of the MCL, suggests a mechanism by which damage to the carpus might be minimized.
  • This novel understanding of the intrinsic biomechanical function of the equine carpus may prove useful in developing more effective treatments for carpal lameness in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Olusa TAO, Akbar Z, Murray CM, Davies HMS. (2020). Morphometric analysis of the intercarpal ligaments of the equine proximal carpal bones during simulated flexion and extension of cadaver limbs. Anat Histol Embryol, 50(1), 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1111/ahe.12613

Publication

Anatomia, histologia, embryologia
ISSN: 1439-0264
NlmUniqueID: 7704218
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 151-160

Researcher Affiliations

Olusa, Timothy A O
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
Akbar, Zeeshan
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
Murray, Christina M
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
Davies, Helen M S
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cadaver
  • Carpal Bones / anatomy & histology
  • Carpal Bones / physiology
  • Carpus, Animal / anatomy & histology
  • Carpus, Animal / physiology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Ligaments, Articular / anatomy & histology
  • Ligaments, Articular / physiology
  • Range of Motion, Articular

Grant Funding

  • MIRS 666500 / The University of Melbourne, Australia

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Oheida AH, Shalgum AA, Alrtib AM, Booker AO, Ben-Naser KM, Davies HMS. Variation in palmaromedial articulations of carpometacarpal joints in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Open Vet J 2023 May;13(5):569-575.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i5.9pubmed: 37304598google scholar: lookup
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