THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE STIFLE JOINT IN SHEEP

Objective-To provide a detailed description of the surgical anatomy of the stifle joint in sheep. Study Design-The results from analysis of cadaveric dissections (14 stifle joints) and stifle radiographs (8 set s of mediolateral and craniocaudal radiographs) are presented. Animals -Skeletally mature ewes of mixed breeds. Conclusions-Although the anat omy of the vine stifle joint is similar to that of the human knee join t, a number of unique features were identified. These included the pre sence of the tendon of the m. extensor digitorum longus on the craniol ateral aspect of the stifle joint, the absence of a cranial meniscofem oral ligament (ligament of Humphrey) in the caudal joint space, and at tachment of the patellar tendon to the cranial pole of the patella (ra ther than to the distal pole, as in humans). The implications of these differences are discussed with reference to the suitability of the ov ine stifle as a surgical model for the human knee joint. (C) Copyright 1998 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.