CHARACTERIZATION OF ANATOMIC COMMUNICATIONS AMONG THE ANTEBRACHIOCARPAL, MIDDLE CARPAL, AND CARPOMETACARPAL JOINTS IN CATTLE, USING INTRAARTICULAR LATEX, POSITIVE-CONTRAST ARTHROGRAPHY, AND FLUOROSCOPY

Objective-To evaluate the frequency and sites of communication among t he antebrachiocarpal, middle carpal, and carpometacarpal joints in cat tle. Animals-137 limbs were obtained from 72 fresh bovine cadavers sub mitted for necropsy because of problems unrelated to the carpus. Proce dure-1 of the 3 injection sites was randomly assigned to both carpi of each ox, and a mixture of latex and barium sulfate was injected into the joint. Communication between 2 or more joints was determined by th e presence of latex and contrast material in a joint adjacent to the i njected joint by examination of frozen sections, positive-contrast art hrography, and fluoroscopy. Results-Communication existed among the 3 joints in 18 specimens (13.1%). The middle carpal joint and the carpom etacarpal joint always communicated. The antebrachiocarpal joint commu nicated with the middle carpal joint between the ulnar and intermediat e carpal bones. The middle carpal and carpometacarpal joints always co mmunicated between the fourth and fused second and third carpal bones. In a few specimens, additional sites of communication were identified at the palmar aspect of the fourth carpal bone and the fused second a nd third carpal bones. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-individual a natomic Variation of the carpus in cattle should be considered when di agnostic or treatment protocols are established.