On the collateral sesamoidean (suspensory navicular) ligament of equines: topographic relations and sensitive innervation.

The abstract discusses the structural anatomy and sensitive innervation of a certain ligament found in horses and asses, identified as the collateral sesamoidean or suspensory navicular ligament.

Research Objectives

• The study aimed to investigate the origin, orientation, and attachment point of the collateral sesamoidean ligament in equines.
• It also scrutinized the spatial relationships between this ligament and the deep digital flexor tendon, another vital structure in the anatomy of these animals.
• Moreover, it focused on identifying the distribution of sensitive nerve endings within this anatomical region.

Methodology

• The researchers used dissection to examine the specific ligament in question in these animals, taking careful note of its orientation and connection points.
• They also used impregnating techniques to exhibit the nerve endings found around this ligament.

Key Findings

• The reseachers observed numerous sensitive nerve endings located mostly in the tract of the ligament that connects to the deep digital flexor tendon. These nerve endings also abound near the ligament’s attachment point at the distal sesamoid angle.
• These nerve endings vary in their forms. They are deemed as typical Pacini, Pacini-like, and Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles based on their morphological characteristics.
• The arrangement of these nerve endings is also inconsistent. Some are scattered randomly, some form flower-spray-like clusters, some are lined up along a single nerve fiber, while others are bunched together to yield varied fibers.