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Anatomy of the fetlock in goats and sheep: comparison of sonography and macroscopic anatomy (914.2)
Author(s) -
Hirtler Arno,
Kofler Johann
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.914.2
Subject(s) - fetlock , anatomy , medicine , cadaver , medius , metatarsophalangeal joints , joint capsule , ultrasonography , joint (building) , lameness , radiology , architectural engineering , engineering
Sonography is an important tool for diagnosing diseases of the locomotor system. It helps to evaluate tendons, ligaments, joint capsules and any free fluid. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy of the fetlock region in sheep and goats based on sonographic pictures. During the first phase, sonographic examination was conducted on the fetlock of six sheep cadavers and compared to frozen feet sections. In the case of eight feet, the joint pouches were experimentally filled. During the second phase, the same examination was conducted on ten living sheep and eight goats. Clear differentiation of the joint space, the capsule, the articular cartilage, the extensor tendons, the flexor tendons and the interosseus medius muscle was possible. Several anatomical structures were compared to each other. No significant differences were observed between the right and left and between the front and back extremities. Differences between sheep and goats could neither be neglected nor demonstrated. In the case of goats, a correlation between the age of the animals and the size of the structures could not be proven. It was shown that a minimum filling of 3 ml was necessary for imaging a distended fetlock joint cavity. The clear differentiation of the soft tissue structures by ultrasonography is a valuable tool for the examination of the fetlock joint. However, more studies are necessary for demonstrating any pathological aspects.