The radiographic anatomy of the normal ovine digit, the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints

Abstract

The aim of this project was to develop a detailed, accessible set of reference images of the normal radiographic anatomy of the ovine digit up to and including the metacarpo/metatatarsophalangeal joints. The lower front and hind limbs of 5 Lleyn ewes were radiographed using portable radiography equipment, a digital image processer and standard projections. Twenty images, illustrating the normal radiographic anatomy of the limb were selected, labelled and presented along with a detailed description and corresponding images of the bony skeleton. These images are aimed to be of assistance to veterinary surgeons, veterinary students and veterinary researchers by enabling understanding of the normal anatomy of the ovine lower limb, and allowing comparison with the abnormal.

Fig. 1

a Radiograph of lateromedial view of left hind limb. b Bone skeleton of left hind limb lateral view c CT 3D image of left fore limb lateral view. 1. Fused metacarpal bones 3 and 4. 2. Scar of epiphysis of metacarpus. 3. Metacarpophalangeal joint. 4. Proximal sesamoid bones. 5. Scar of epiphysis of proximal phalanx. 6. Proximal phalanx. 7. Proximal interphalangeal joint. 8. Scar of epiphysis of middle phalanx. 9. Middle phalanx. 10. Distal sesamoid bone. 11. Distal interphalangeal joint. 12. Distal phalanx

Fig. 2

a Radiograph of dorsoplantar view of left hind limb. b Bone skeleton of left hind limb palmar view c CT 3D image of left forelimb dorsal view. 1. Fused metacarpal bones 3 and 4. 2. Sagittal septum. 3. Scar of epiphysis of metacarpus. 4. Proximal sesamoid bones. 5. Metacarpophalangeal joint. 6. Scar of epiphysis of proximal phalanx. 7. Proximal phalanx. 8. Proximal interphalangeal joint. 9. Middle phalanx. 10. Distal sesamoid bones. 11. Distal interphalangeal joint. 12. Distal phalanx

Fig. 3

Radiograph of dorsolateral –palmaromedial oblique view of right forelimb. 1. Fused metacarpal bones 3 and 4. 2. Proximal phalanx. 3. Middle phalanx. 4. Lateral proximal sesamoid. 5. Metacarpophalangeal joint. 6. Lateral proximal interphalangeal joint. 7. Lateral middle phalanx. 8. Lateral distal sesamoid bone. 9. Lateral distal interphalangeal joint. 10. Lateral distal phalanx

Fig. 4

Radiograph of dorsomedial — palmarolateral oblique view of right forelimb. 1. Metacarpus. 2. Medial Proximal sesamoids. 3. Medial Proximal phalanx. 4. Medial Middle phalanx. 5. Medial Distal sesamoid bone. 6. Medial Distal phalanx. 7. Lateral Metacarpal phalangeal joint. 8. Lateral Proximal interphalangeal joint. 9. Lateral Distal interphalangeal joint

Fig. 5

a Radiograph of right forelimb hoof, lateromedial view. b Bones of the right forelimb hoof lateral view. 1. Distal sesamoid bone. 2. Distal interphalangeal joint. 3. Tubercle of attachment of deep digital flexor tendon. 4. Solar surface. 5. Extensor process. 6. Hoof capsule. 7. Distal phalanx. 8. Dorsal surface of distal phalanx. 9. Nutrient foramen

Fig. 6

a Radiograph of lateromedial view of right forelimb showing radiographic anatomy of the middle phalanx. b Middle phalanx lateral view. 1. Proximal phalanx. 2. Proximal interphalangeal joint. 3. Tuberosity for attachment of inter-phalangeal ligament. 4. Scar of epiphysis of middle phalanx. 5. Middle phalanx. 6. Articular condyle. 7. Distal interphalangeal joint. 8. Distal sesamoid bone. 9. Distal phalanx. 10. Extensor process for attachment of common digital extensor tendon

Fig. 7

a Radiograph of dorsopalmar view of right forelimb showing radiographic anatomy of the middle phalanx. b Middle phalanx palmar view. 1. Proximal phalanx. 2. Proximal interphalangeal joint. 3. Middle phalanx. 4. Distal sesamoid bone. 5. Distal phalanx. 6. Distal interphalangeal joint. 7. Sagittal ridge of middle phalanx. 8. Scar of epiphysis of middle phalanx. 9. Articular condyles of middle phalanx

Fig. 8

a Radiograph of lateral view of right forelimb showing radiographic anatomy of the proximal phalanx. b Proximal phalanx lateral view. 1. Metacarpophalangeal joint. 2. Scar of epiphysis of proximal phalanx. 3. Proximal phalanx. 4. Proximopalmar tubercle. 5. Proximal interphalangeal joint. 6. Articular condyle

Fig. 9

a Radiograph of dorsopalmar view of right fore limb showing radiographic anatomy of the proximal phalanx. b Proximal phalanx palmar view. 1. Metacarpus. 2. Metacarpophalangeal joint. 3. Sagittal ridge. 4. Sagittal groove. 5. Proximopalmar tubercle. 6. Proximal phalanx. 7. Articular condyle. 8. Sagittal groove. 9. Sagittal ridge. 10. Proximal interphalangeal joint. 11. Middle phalanx

Fig. 10

a Radiograph of metacarpal phalangeal joint, lateral view right fore limb. 1. Metacarpus. 2. Proximal sesamoid bones. 3. Metacarpal phalangeal joint. 4. Proximal phalanx. b Radiograph of metatarsophalangeal joint, lateral view right hind limb. 1. Metatarsus. 2. Proximal sesamoid bones. 3. Metatarsal phalangeal joint. 4. Proximal phalanx

Fig. 11

a Radiograph of metacarpal phalangeal joint, dorsopalmar view right fore limb. 1. Metacarpus. 2. Sagittal septum. 3. Nutrient foramen. 4. Proximal sesamoid bones. 5. Metacarpal phalangeal joint. 6. Midsagittal ridge. 7. Proximal phalanx. b Radiograph of metatarsal phalangeal joint, lateral view right hind limb. 1. Metatarsus. 2. Line of fusion. 3. Nutrient foramen. 4. Proximal sesamoid bones. 5. Metatarsal phalangeal joint. 6. Midsagittal ridge. 7. Proximal phalanx