Ruminant distal limb and claw

Large metacarpal bone

-fused MC III and IV

Small metacarpal bone

-MC V (lateral side)

Structure of ruminant metacarpals

Large metatarsal bone (cannon)

-fused MT III and IV

Metatarsal sesamoid bone

-vestigial MT II (medial)

Structure of ruminant metatarsals

Same as equine

Proximal phalanx/PI/ long pastern bone

Middle phalanx/PII/ short pastern bone

Distal phalanx/PIII/ coffin bone

Structure of ruminant phalanges

Fetlock joint

Common name of the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint

Metacarpophalangeal joint

Metatarsophalangeal joint

The fetlock joint refers to...

Pastern joint

Common name of the proximal interphalangeal joint

Proximal interphalangeal joint

The pastern joint refers to...

Coffin joint

Common name of the distal interphalangeal joint

Distal interphalangeal joint

The coffin joint refers to...

Medial digit: Digit III

Lateral digit: Digit IV

Dewclaws at the fetlock

Medial: Digit II

Lateral: Digit V

NO DIGIT I ANYWHERE

Numbering of ruminant digits

Axial surface

The inside surface of a digit (towards long axis of limb)

Abaxial surface

The outside surface of a digit (away from long axis of limb)

Interdigital gland

Gland in the ovine species located in between the digits

Sheep

What species has an interdigital gland

Similar to an equine hoof

Frog is replaced by the bulb

Axial and abaxial grooves where the wall joins the bulb

External anatomy of the ruminant claw

Grooves:

Perioplic groove

Coronary groove

Laminae: only primary laminae, no secondary

Internal anatomy of the ruminant claw

Proximal interdigital ligament (not in small ruminants)

Distal interdigital ligament

What are the ruminant interdigital ligaments