Anatomical Features of the Carpal Flexor Retinaculum of the Horse

Probst, Axel; Macher, R.; Hinterhofer, C.; Polsterer, E.; Guarda, I. H.; König, Horst

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0264.2008.00867.x

Cited by 11 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…According to Probst et al. () the term ‘carpal flexor retinaculum’ should be replaced by ‘palmar anular carpal ligament’ as the structure covers not only flexor tendons but also blood vessels and nerves. It is important to mention that semantics in the field of collagenous fibrous tissues is something of a vogue area, as the fascia research is multidisciplinary and occupies researchers from different professional backgrounds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The deep fascia and retinacula of the equine forelimb – structure and innervation

Skalec

Egerbacher

2017

Journal of Anatomy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent advances in human fascia research have shed new light on the role of the fascial network in movement perception and coordination, transmission of muscle force, and integrative function in body biomechanics. Evolutionary adaptations of equine musculoskeletal apparatus that assure effective terrestrial locomotion are employed in equestrianism, resulting in the wide variety of movements in performing horses, from sophisticated dressage to jumping and high-speed racing. The high importance of horse motion efficiency in the present-day equine industry indicates the significance of scientific knowledge of the structure and physiology of equine fasciae. In this study, we investigated the structure and innervation of the deep fascia of the equine forelimb by means of anatomical dissection, histology and immunohistochemistry. Macroscopically, the deep fascia appears as a dense, glossy and whitish lamina of connective tissue continuous with its fibrous reinforcements represented by extensor and flexor retinacula. According to the results of our histological examination, the general structure of the equine forelimb fascia corresponds to the characteristics of the human deep fasciae of the limbs. Although we did find specific features in all sample types, the general composition of all examined fascial tissues follows roughly the same scheme. It is composed of dense, closely packed collagen fibers organized in layers of thick fibrous bundles with sparse elastic fibers. This compact tissue is covered from both internal and external sides by loosely woven laminae of areolar connective tissue where elastic fibers are mixed with collagen. Numerous blood vessels running within the loose connective tissue contribute to the formation of regular vascular network throughout the compact layer of the deep fascia and retinacula. We found nerve fibers of different calibers in all samples analyzed. The fibers are numerous in the areolar connective tissue and near the blood vessels but scarce in the compact layers of collagen. We did not observe any Ruffini, Pacini or Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles. In conclusion, the multilayered composition of compact bundles of collagen, sparse elastic fibers in the deep fascia and continuous transition into retinacula probably facilitate resistance to gravitational forces and volume changes during muscle contraction as well as transmission of muscle force during movement. However, further research focused on innervation is needed to clarify whether the deep fascia of the equine forelimb plays a role in proprioception and movement coordination.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The deep fascia and retinacula of the equine forelimb – structure and innervation

Skalec

Egerbacher

2017

Journal of Anatomy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thickening of the carpal flexor retinaculum has also been described in conjunction with lesions in adjacent structures . Retinacular thickening exacerbates the constriction of soft tissue structures enclosed within the carpal canal and can generate a condition analogous to Carpal Canal Syndrome in people as a consequence of direct compression of the medial palmar artery and/or nerve …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Musculoskeletal Lesions and Lameness in 121 Horses With Carpal Sheath Effusion (1999–2010)

Jorgensen

Genovese

Döpfer

et al. 2015

Vet Radiology Ultrasound

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Equine carpal sheath effusion has multiple etiologies. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the prevalence of distinct musculoskeletal lesions lameness in a sample of horses with a clinical diagnosis of carpal sheath effusion. A total of 121 horses met inclusion criteria. Seventy-four percent (89/121) of horses were lame at presentation; middle-aged (9-18 years, 80%) and older (> 18 years, 85%) horses were lame more frequently than young horses (< 9 years, 44%). Ninety-three percent (113/121) were diagnosed with osseous and/or soft tissue abnormalities. Of these 113 horses, 10 exhibited osseous abnormalities, whereas 111 were diagnosed with soft tissue lesions. Eighty-four percent (93/111) of the soft tissue injuries extended from the caudodistal antebrachium to the palmar metacarpus. The superficial digital flexor tendon (98/111; 88%) and accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (64/111; 58%) were the most commonly injured structures, with both structures affected in 41 (41/111; 37%) horses. Injuries within the caudodistal antebrachium included the superficial digital flexor musculotendinous junction (66), the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (64), and deep digital flexor muscle (21), in isolation or in combination with other structures. Increased echogenicity in the medial superficial digital flexor musculotendinous junction was detected in 40 horses and was significantly associated with increasing age (middle-aged, 19/40; old, 18/40). Findings from this study indicated that age should be taken into consideration for horses presented with carpal sheath effusion and that adjacent structures within the caudodistal antebrachium should be included in evaluations.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…THE CARPAL flexor synovial sheath encloses the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons as they traverse the carpal region, from the distal aspect of the radius through the proximal aspect of the metacarpus 1 . The carpal canal is a subcomponent of the carpal flexor synovial sheath bound by the palmar carpal ligament dorsally, the accessory carpal bone laterally, and the carpal flexor retinaculum palmaromedially 1 . Carpal canal syndrome has been recognized in humans as a painful entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve as it runs through the carpal canal 2 and a similar syndrome is recognized in horses, presumably secondary to compression of neurovascular structures in the space bounded by the carpal canal 3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%