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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anat / The deep fascia and retinacula of the equine forelimb &#8211...
Journal of anatomy2017; 231(3); 405-416; doi: 10.1111/joa.12643

The deep fascia and retinacula of the equine forelimb – structure and innervation.

Abstract: Recent advances in human fascia research have shed new light on the role of the fascial network in movement perception and coordination, transmission of muscle force, and integrative function in body biomechanics. Evolutionary adaptations of equine musculoskeletal apparatus that assure effective terrestrial locomotion are employed in equestrianism, resulting in the wide variety of movements in performing horses, from sophisticated dressage to jumping and high-speed racing. The high importance of horse motion efficiency in the present-day equine industry indicates the significance of scientific knowledge of the structure and physiology of equine fasciae. In this study, we investigated the structure and innervation of the deep fascia of the equine forelimb by means of anatomical dissection, histology and immunohistochemistry. Macroscopically, the deep fascia appears as a dense, glossy and whitish lamina of connective tissue continuous with its fibrous reinforcements represented by extensor and flexor retinacula. According to the results of our histological examination, the general structure of the equine forelimb fascia corresponds to the characteristics of the human deep fasciae of the limbs. Although we did find specific features in all sample types, the general composition of all examined fascial tissues follows roughly the same scheme. It is composed of dense, closely packed collagen fibers organized in layers of thick fibrous bundles with sparse elastic fibers. This compact tissue is covered from both internal and external sides by loosely woven laminae of areolar connective tissue where elastic fibers are mixed with collagen. Numerous blood vessels running within the loose connective tissue contribute to the formation of regular vascular network throughout the compact layer of the deep fascia and retinacula. We found nerve fibers of different calibers in all samples analyzed. The fibers are numerous in the areolar connective tissue and near the blood vessels but scarce in the compact layers of collagen. We did not observe any Ruffini, Pacini or Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles. In conclusion, the multilayered composition of compact bundles of collagen, sparse elastic fibers in the deep fascia and continuous transition into retinacula probably facilitate resistance to gravitational forces and volume changes during muscle contraction as well as transmission of muscle force during movement. However, further research focused on innervation is needed to clarify whether the deep fascia of the equine forelimb plays a role in proprioception and movement coordination.
© 2017 Anatomical Society.
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Publication Date: 2017-06-05 PubMed ID: 28585281PubMed Central: PMC5554827DOI: 10.1111/joa.12643Google 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 examines the structure and innervation (supply of nerves) of the deep fascia (dense, fibrous connective tissue) in horse forelimbs, providing knowledge that could be important to the equine industry regarding horse movement efficiency.

Understanding Fascia and its Role

  • The fascial network plays a significant role in movement perception, transmission of muscle force, and coordination in the human body. In equine species, these factors contribute to terrestrial locomotion.
  • Equestrian activities, like dressage, jumping, and high-speed racing, demonstrate the horse’s ability to perform a wide range of movements.
  • A thorough scientific understanding of fasciae’s structure and physiology is crucial due to horse motion efficiency’s high importance in the present-day equine industry.

The Structure of Fascia in Equine Forelimb

  • The research involved anatomical dissection, histology (microscopic study of cells and tissues), and immunohistochemistry (detecting proteins in cells of a tissue section).
  • Macroscopically, the deep fascia was found to be a dense, glossy, and whitish lamina of connective tissue continuous with extensor and flexor retinacula (bands of thickened deep fascia).
  • On histological examination, the studied horse fascia structure was found to correlate significantly with that of human deep fascia.
  • The tissue was composed of dense collagen fiber bundles, with sparse elastic fibers, covered with loosely woven laminae of areolar connective tissue (where elastic fibers mixed with collagen) on both sides.
  • Many blood vessels were identified within the loose connective tissue, contributing to a regular vascular network throughout the dense layer.

Innervation and Sensory Aspects

  • Nerve fibers of different sizes were found in the analyzed samples.
  • These fibers were widespread in the areolar connective tissue and near blood vessels, though scarce in the compact collagen layers.
  • However, researchers identified no Ruffini (mechanoreceptors responsive to pressure and distortion), Pacini (detect rapid changes in joint angle and muscle tension), or Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles (pressure-sensitive mechanoreceptors).

Concluding Remarks

  • The compact bundles of collagen, sparse elastic fibers, and the continuous transition into retinacula likely provide resistance to gravitational forces and volume changes during muscle movement, acting in force transmission.
  • Additional research around innervation is required to determine whether equine deep fascia plays a role in proprioception (a sense of self-movement and body position) and movement coordination.

Cite This Article

APA
Skalec A, Egerbacher M. (2017). The deep fascia and retinacula of the equine forelimb – structure and innervation. J Anat, 231(3), 405-416. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12643

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 1469-7580
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 231
Issue: 3
Pages: 405-416

Researcher Affiliations

Skalec, Aleksandra
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.
Egerbacher, Monika
  • Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Fascia / innervation
  • Female
  • Forelimb / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Male

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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