INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ANATOMY OF THE DIST AL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT AND THE NAVICULAR BURSA IN HORSES PAYING REGARD TO ITS CLINICAL RELEVANCE

28 extremities of horses were used to investigate the anatomical situa tion of the articulatio interphalangea distalis and the navicular burs a as well as the surrounding structures. This work gives a description of ligaments and their place of insertion is documented by means of m azerated bones. Ligamenta chondroungularia cruciata could not be found . The ''division'' of the deep flexor tendon to the phalanx media and the ligament um sesamoideum collaterale shows elastic fibres as well a s connective tissue. Two capsular folds were found in the paramedian l ine between the articular cartilage of the phalanx media and phalanx d isralis. This work deals with the disatal interphalangeal joint and th e navicular bursa and its expansion. Main attention was paid to casts of those synovial structures. The recessus dorsalis of the distal inte r phalangeal joint shows pouches, which look like fingers or toes. The dorsal recessus of the thoracic and pelvic limb differ in their appea rance. The recessus dorsalis of the pelvic limb shows a shape like the letter ''m'' or like a ''triangle with oblique angles''. The distal i nterphalangea joint shows a proximal palmar and a distal palmar pouch. The recessus palmaris proximalis is larger and it has two further rec essus sidewards. Occasionally a third recess extending proximally can be found in the median line under the deep flexor tendon. Beside those recessus further pouches are documented. In no occasion a communicati on between the disatal interphalangeal joint and the navicular bursa w as found.