Une dissection myologique de la Jambe et du Pied de l'Autruche (Struthio camelus)*

No trace was found of the following muscles: M. plantaris, M. extensor hallucis longus, M. extensor hallucis brevis, M. flexor hallucis brevis, M. adductor d. II, M. abductor d. II, M. flexor phalangis secundi d. III and M. adductor d. IV. Some interesting myological and topographical peculiarities are specified concerning the 16 muscles mentioned, in order to provide useful findings for surgically applied purposes: in case of locomotor problems with leg deformities.     

Surgical management of digital gryposis syndrome in a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis gentilis)

Digital gryposis syndrome is an acquired abnormal curvature of the digits due to an unknown etiology. Past medical therapeutic efforts have had limited success, with occasional reports of spontaneous recoveries. Unilateral digital flexor tendon hypertension was identified as the cause of the presenting signs in the goshawk reported in this paper. Tenectomy was performed on the flexor perforatus digiti III, flexor perforans et perforatus digiti III, and flexor perforatus digiti IV tendons. A foot cast fashioned from elastic bandaging tape, epoxy, and aluminum wire was applied for 4 weeks. Fourteen weeks after the operation, the goshawk exhibited a normal stance and good coordination.     

Musculus extensor digiti medii proprius and musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus - a case report of a rare variation

The musculus extensor digiti medii proprius and musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus are anomalous extensor muscles of the hand. During the routine dissection of a white male cadaver a musculus extensor digiti medii proprius was seen on both hands and a musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus was seen on the left hand. The extensor medii proprius has a belly originating from the distal third of the ulna near the extensor indicis proprius and its tendon is inserted into the dorsal aponeurosis of the middle finger on both hands. On the left hand there was another anomalous muscle (musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus) which originated from the distal end of the radius, carpal ligaments and carpal joint capsule and inserted on the tendon of the extensor digiti medii proprius. This case is a multivariation of the hand extensor muscles and a musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus inserting on the musculus extensor digiti medii proprius has not been reported previously.     

Macroscopic study of the functional significance of the forearm muscles in the giant panda

The extensor and flexor group muscles and their related muscles were functional-morphologically observed in the dead body of the giant panda to clarify the action of the forearm and the palm in the manipulation of the species. The Musculus flexor carpi ulnaris had two developed heads, however, we can conclude that the contraction of this muscle slightly changes the angle of the accessory carpal bone to the ulna. The data pointed out that the accessory carpal bone acts as a supporting post, when the giant panda seizes the object. The M. abductor digiti I longus possessed the well-developed origin in both ulna and radius. These findings suggest that this muscle may function as a supinator of the forearm. We also suggest that the well-developed M. pronator quadratus and M. pronator teres, and the proximal part of the M. abductor digiti I longus and the M. supinator may efficiently contribute to the pronator-spinator action of the forearm, when the giant panda brings the food to its mouth using the manipulation system equipped in the palm region.     

A study of the anatomy and injection techniques of the ovine stifle by positive contrast arthrography, computed tomography arthrography and gross anatomical dissection

Although ovine stifle models are commonly used to study osteoarthritis, meniscal pathology and cruciate ligament injuries and repair, there is little information about the anatomy of the joint or techniques for synovial injections. The objectives of this study were to improve anatomical knowledge of the synovial cavities of the ovine knee and to compare intra-articular injection techniques. Synovial cavities of 24 cadaver hind limbs from 12 adult sheep were investigated by intra-articular resin, positive-contrast arthrography, computed tomography (CT) arthrography and gross anatomical dissection. Communication between femoro-patellar, medial femoro-tibial and lateral femoro-tibial compartments occurred in all cases. The knee joint should be considered as one synovial structure with three communicating compartments. Several unreported features were observed, including a communication between the medial femoro-tibial and lateral femoro-tibial compartments and a latero-caudal recess of the lateral femoro-tibial compartment. No intermeniscal ligament was identified. CT was able to define many anatomical features of the stifle, including the anatomy of the tendinous synovial recess on the lateral aspect of the proximal tibia under the combined tendon of the peroneus tertius, extensor longus digitorum and extensor digiti III proprius. An approach for intra-articular injection into this recess (the subtendinous technique) was assessed and compared with the retropatellar and paraligamentous techniques. All three injection procedures were equally successful, but the subtendinous technique appeared to be most appropriate for synoviocentesis and for injections in therapeutic research protocols with less risk of damaging the articular cartilage.     

The Hindlimb Myology of Tyto alba (Tytonidae,Strigiformes, Aves)

This work is the first myological dissection performed in detail on the hindlimb of Tyto alba. Six specimens were dissected and their muscle masses were obtained. T. alba has the classical myological pattern present in other species of Strigiformes, such as a well‐developed m. flexor digitorum longus and the absence of the m. plantaris, flexor cruris lateralis and ambiens. Also, T. alba lacks the m. extensor propius digiti III, m. extensor propius digiti IV and m. lumbricalis, present in the Strigidae. Hindlimb muscle mass accounts for 14.13% of total body mass, which is within the range of values of both nocturnal (Strigiformes) and diurnal (Falconidae and Accipitridae) raptors. This study provides important information for future studies related to functional morphology and ecomorphology.     

Muscles and fascial elements of the antebrachium and manus of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana,Blumenbach 1797): starring comparative and functional considerations

The structure of the limbs of elephants is unusual among mammals. In African elephants (Loxodonta africana, Blumenbach 1797), the front limbs serve to support the greatest part of the body mass of the largest land animal. In this study, we present new and detailed anatomical data regarding muscular and specific fascial structures of the lower front limb which were examined by means of standard anatomical and histological techniques. The muscles and tendons of the forearm (antebrachium) and hand (manus) are tightly surrounded by thick, highly elastic fascial layers which fuse with the lacertus (lac.) fibrosus and the so‐called ligamentum (lig.) humeroulnare. A well‐developed musculus (m.) brachioradialis occupies the proximolateral aspect of the forearm and its tendon inserts together with the lac. fibrosus on the os carpi intermedium. The lac. fibrosus, the lig. humeroulnare and the m. flexor carpi radialis reveal a large proportion of elastic fibres. These three structures may play an important role in storing strain energy thus promoting energy‐saving locomotion. On the palmar aspect of the carpus, metacarpus and digits, short flexor, abductor, adductor, lumbricales and interossei muscles are present, whereas supinator muscles are absent in all specimens. The short muscles of the hand together with specific dorsal tendons enable precise movements of specific toes.     

Tenoscopic Anatomy of the Equine Carpal Flexor Synovial Sheath

Objective —To describe the tenoscopic anatomy of the carpal sheath of the flexor tendons (carpal sheath) viewed from a lateral approach.
Study Design —Tenoscopic observation of structures within the carpal sheath subsequently confirmed by dissection.
Animals or Sample Population—12 equine cadaveric forelimbs.
Methods —The limbs were positioned lateral side up with the carpus slightly flexed. After distention of the carpal sheath, a portal for the arthroscope was made approximately 3 cm proximal to the distal radial physis and 2.5 cm caudal to the radius between the tendons of the ulnaris lateralis and lateral digital extensor muscles.
Results —A lateral tenoscopic approach was adequate to identify all structures within the carpal sheath. From proximal to distal, structures identified using this approach were the radial head of the deep digital flexor muscle, accessory ligament of the tendon of the superficial digital flexor muscle, distal radial physis, tendons of the superficial and deep digital flexor muscles, accessory carpal bone, antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joints, and vincula of the tendon of the deep digital flexor muscle.
Conclusions —A lateral tenoscopic approach offered an easy, repeatable entry into the carpal sheath and allowed good observation of all structures within the sheath except for the medial borders of the tendons of the deep and superficial digital flexor muscles.
Clinical Relevance —Applications of a lateral tenoscopic approach to the carpal sheath include diagnostic procedures, lavage and synovial resection for septic tenosynovitis, desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the tendon of the superficial digital flexor muscle for flexural deformity or tendinitis, and removal of osteochondromas from the distal radial metaphysis.     

Evaluation of equine radial and median nerve conduction velocities

Eleven ponies and 13 horses were used to develop a technique for determining conduction velocity for the radial and median nerves and establishing normal limits for these values. One pony was euthanatized to determine the course of the radial and the median nerves. From this dissection, both proximal and distal stimulation sites for the radial and the median nerves were selected, as well as areas for recording muscle evoked responses from the abductor digiti I longus (extensor carpi obliquus) and the radial head of the deep digital flexor muscles. The other ten ponies and the horses were used in studies on the stimulation of the nerves and recording of muscle evoked responses from which conduction velocity could be calculated. Conduction velocities for the radial and the median nerves were calculated and recorded.     

Zur bildlichen Darstellung der gemeinsamen Sehnenscheide des M. flexor hallucis longus und des M, tibialis caudalis beim Pferd

The possibilities for imaging soft tissue structures, especially fluid-filled cavities such as articulations, bursae or tendon sheaths, have been improved markedly by sonography in recent years. Ultrasonic examinations were performed on the common tendon sheath of the musculus flexor hallucis longus and the musculus tibialis caudalis, from the medioplantar aspect of the tarsus, in 12 sound adult draft- and warm blood horses, and in 5 animals with a distended common sheath. The diagnostic precision of the sonographic examination of the tendon sheath is excellent and is superior to conventional radiography. A nuclear magnetic resonance tomogram of an isolated equine tarsus is presented for comparison method.     

Rupture of gastrocnemius tendon in broiler breeder hens

Lameness and mortality of 0.55% to 1.00% per week occurred in 32-to-33-wk-old broiler breeder hens in a complex involving eight houses. Males were not affected. Laboratory evaluation of 19 birds, over 2 wk, revealed complete rupture or partial tear, primarily of the gastrocnemius tendon; the fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and flexor muscles and their tendons were injured in a few birds. Rupture of the gastrocnemius tendon has been observed in broiler breeder chickens older than 12 wk of age and it is characterized by lameness secondary to unilateral or bilateral rupture of the tendon. The cause of this condition has been primarily attributed to reovirus infection but rupture by other causes can also occur. In this case, there was no evidence of synovitis or reovirus infection in the birds. The cause of the ruptures was attributed to aggressive males when the ratio of males to females was increased from seven or eight males per 100 females at 22-23 wk to nine or 10 per 100 at 31 wk of age.     

Solitary osteochondroma of the radius in three horses

Osteochondroma of the distal portion of the radius was diagnosed in 3 horses with a history of lameness and distention of the common tendon sheath of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons at the level of the carpal canal. In 2 horses, the exostosis was removed through an incision at the caudal border of the lateral digital extensor muscle above the carpal ligament.     

Observations on the in vitro behavior of digital tendons

The force/strain behavior of the common and lateral extensor tendons, the extensor branches of the interosseus muscle, and the superficial flexor tendon have been examined in vitro. The flexor tendon acted as a hard-spring with an initial large strain with small load followed by progressively less strain with increasing load, The distal part of the common extensor tendon and the extensor branches behaved in the same manner during dorsiflexion of the fetlock joint/palmar flexion of the coffin joint. The common extensor tendon behaved in a softening manner during palmar flexion of the fetlock and coffin joints while the lateral extensor and the extensor branches behaved in a nearly linear manner.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the tuber calcanei area: Technique and normal ultrasonographic images

Ultrasonographic examination is an essential diagnostic tool that complements radiographic examination in the diagnostic work-up of injury to the tuber calcanei area. Using a plantar approach, the superficial digital flexor tendon, gastrocnemius tendon, the bone surfaces of the two lobes of the tuber calcanei and the gastrocnemius bursa and the calcaneal bursa of the superficial digital flexor tendon (if distended) can be accurately assessed. Using a collateral approach, the tenocalcaneal ligaments of the superficial digital flexor tendon and the branches of the calcaneal tendon of the caudal femoral muscles can be imaged. This paper describes the normal anatomy of the tuber calcanei area and presents the complete ultrasonographic procedure and normal ultrasonographic images of this region.     

Avulsion of the origin of the tendon of the extensor digitalis longus muscle in a Dobermann pinscher

Avulsion of the tendon of the extensor digitalis longus muscle is a rare condition in young, large breed dogs or as a consequence of chronic lateral patellar luxation in adult dogs. Current technique of fixation consists into reattaching the fragment with a lag screw at its origin in the extensor fossa of the lateral femur condyle. If the fragment was considered too friable and reactive to be reattached, it was amputated and the tendon was sutured to the joint capsula. In this present case a adaptation screw with a washer was inserted distally to the sulcus extensorius through the tendon. The proximal part of the tendon was sutured to the joint capsula. The postoperative result was excellent, with recovery of full function of the Musculus extensor digitalis longus.     

Epidemiologic, clinical and pathologo-anatomic studies of the inflammation of the carpal joint extensors in cattle

A retrospective study of 24 cases of inflammation of carpal extensors (m. extensor carpi radialis, m. extensor digitorum communis, m. abductor digiti I longus) was conducted. The findings of anamnestic, clinical, and post-mortem investigations are described. Half of the patients were first calf heifers at the ages of 2 1/2 to 3 years. The rest of the animals were older cows (with one exception). In all of the young cows the disease had become apparent within 11 weeks post partum. The most striking clinical finding is the posture of the animals when lying down: the affected forelimbs are extended forward. Palpation reveals a homogeneous firm swelling of the cranial portion of the forearm. Most of the patients also had pododermatitis in hind and/or front legs, and exhibited signs of a systemic reaction in the form of "polysynovitis" and raised serum total protein concentrations. Post mortem examination revealed a hemorrhagic edematous impregnation of the distal part of the radial carpal extensor muscle and particularly of its fascia. The tendon and tendon sheath had unclear contours and were swollen. Histologically the lesions are typical of subacute granulating inflammation. As to the cause, it is assumed that the ailment is a significant complication of some other disease of the locomotion system. Type and localization of the lesions suggest a traumatic etiology. Therapeutic results have been unsatisfactory.     

非洲雏鸵鸟泌尿系统的解剖学研究

鸵鸟的排泄行为与其它乌纲动物有明显的区别。为了探明其形态学基础，解剖观察了8羽非洲雏鸵鸟泌尿器官的形态位置及结构特征。研究结果如下：非洲雏鸵鸟的泌尿系统由肾脏、输尿管和泄殖道组成，肾脏分前、中、后三部分；泄殖道形似哺乳动物的膀胱，可存储大量尿液。结果表明非洲雏鸵鸟的泌尿系统不同于其它乌纲动物，清晰地解释了非洲鸵鸟先排尿随后排粪这一独特的生理行为，说明了结构与功能的统一。