Rc. Whitton et al., THE INTERCARPAL LIGAMENTS OF THE EQUINE MIDCARPAL JOINT .1. THE ANATOMY OF THE PALMAR AND DORSOMEDIAL INTERCARPAL LIGAMENTS OF THE MIDCARPAL JOINT, Veterinary surgery, 26(5), 1997, pp. 359-366
Objective-To describe in detail the structure of the medial palmar int
ercarpal ligament (MPICL), the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament (LP
ICL), and a dorsomedial intercarpal ligament (DMICL) of the equine mid
carpal joint. Study Design-Dissections of equine midcarpal joints. Ani
mals and Sample Population-Ten carpal joints from eight thoroughbred h
orses. Methods-Detailed dissections of the midcarpal joint were perfor
med, with particular attention paid to the MPICL, the LPICL, and the D
MICL. The attachments and dimensions of these structures were recorded
, as well as their behavior during joint movement. Results-The DMICL a
rose from the dorsomedial surface of the radial carpal bone (CR) and c
oursed palmarodistally to insert on the dorsomedial aspect of the seco
nd carpal bone (C2). The LPICL attached proximally predominantly on th
e distal part of the palmaromedial surface of the ulnar carpal bone (C
U). From here the ligament coursed distomedially and slightly palmarly
to the proximal palmarolateral surface of the third carpal bone (C3).
The structure of the MPICL was complex. It attached proximally to the
distolateral surface of the CR and distally to the proximal palmarome
dial surface of C3, and the proximal palmarolateral aspect of the C2.
It could be divided into four fiber bundles in all carpi. The predomin
ant direction of fibers was dorsoproximal to palmarodistal, whereas th
e palmaromedial bundle coursed palmaroproximal to dorsodistal. Conclus
ions-The orientation of their fibers indicate that the MPICL and DMICL
primarily resist dorsomedial displacement of CR, whereas the LPICL re
sists dorsolateral displacement of the CU and intermediate carpal bone
. Clinical Relevance-An understanding of the structure of the intercar
pal ligaments of the midcarpal joint is important in interpreting thei
r function and the reasons for damage to their structure. (C) Copyrigh
t 1997 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.