Ultrasonographic anatomy of the temporomandibular joint in healthy pure-bred Spanish horses.

The research paper discusses the use of ultrasonography to study the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint in healthy Spanish horses. By comparing ultrasonographic images with physical anatomical dissections, the study confirmed previously identified structures and clarified some new ones, providing a reference for future examinations of equine temporomandibular joints.

Objective and Methodology

• The study aimed to depict the healthy ultrasonographic anatomy of the temporomandibular joint of Pure-Bred Spanish horses.
• The temporomandibular joints of five healthy horses and head specimens from 12 euthanized ones were examined using an 11 MHz linear-array transducer. The horses used for the study did not have any known temporomandibular joint issues.
• Ultrasonographic images were gathered from different angles (rostral, lateral, and caudal) for a comprehensive study.
• An in-depth anatomical study was performed on six temporomandibular joints via dissection. The other six specimens were frozen and then cut into thin sections reflecting the same planes as the ultrasonographic scans.
• The frozen sections were plastinated, photographed, and compared with the corresponding ultrasonographic images.

Findings and Contribution to the Field

• The ultrasonographic images and the physical sections correlated with each other, highlighting key structures such as articular surfaces, articular cartilage, the disc, intra-articular fat tissue, the joint capsule, and several others.
• Alongside confirming previously known structures, new ones like the caudal fibrous expansion of the disc, the caudal compartment of the dorsal synovial pouch, and the lateral ligament were identified through this research.
• The study provides a reference guide for sonographic evaluation of the equine temporomandibular joint, which can be instrumental in understanding the anatomy and diagnosing potential pathologies of this joint in horses.