Ligaments and Tendons

What is the purpose of ligaments?

• To keep joints from moving in undesirable ways

• Decreases motion

What is the purpose of tendons?

• Provide tension and a connection to create movement

• Assist with motion

What is the purpose of the suspensory ligament?

• Helps with stability

• Prevents the fetlock from hitting the ground

• Prevents too much pressure in the fetlock joint

What is the purpose of intersesamoidean ligaments?

Helps sesamoids attach to the cannon, keeps them in place

What is the purpose of distal sesamoidean ligaments? (Superficial distal, distal medial oblique, and distal lateral oblique)

Prevents the foot from rolling too far forward

What are the main 4 important ligaments of the lower leg?

1. Suspensory ligament

2. Distal straight sesamoidean ligament

3. Distal oblique (lateral and medial) sesamoidean ligaments

4. Intersesamoidean ligaments

What are the 4 main tendons of the Lower leg?

1. Deep digital flexor tendon

2. Superficial digital flexor tendon

3. Common or long digital extensor tendon

4. Lateral digital extensor tendon

What is the purpose of the superficial digital flexor tendon?

• Stablilizes

• Allows the deep digital flexor tendon to stay in place

What is the purpose of the deep digital flexor tendon?

This is the main tendons that flexes the leg. All other tendons are brought with it

What is the purpose of the common digital extensor tendon?

This tendon prevents the foot from dragging

What is the purpose of the lateral digital extensor tendon?

Directly pulls on the long pattern, allowing extension of the long pastern

“Indirect pulling”

Where does the suspensory ligament originate?

• Palmar/plantar surface of the distal end of the carpus/tarsus

• Split of the ligament occurs at the proximal end of the proximal sesamoids

What is the insertion point of the suspensory ligament?

Splits above the proximal sesamoids and attaches to the medial/lateral side of the proximal sesamoids

What is the insertion point of the suspensory ligament extensor branches?

Insert into the common digital extensor tendon on the dorsal surface of the pastern

What is the origination point of the distal straight sesamoidean ligament?

Distal end of the proximal sesamoids

What is the origination point of the distal oblique sesamoidean ligament?

On the abaxial to the distal straight sesamoidean ligament, at the distal end of the proximal sesamoids

What is the insertion point of the distal straight sesamoidean ligament?

Proximal end on the palmate/plantar surface

What is the insertion point of the distal oblique sesamoidean ligaments?

Distal end of p1 on the palmar/plantar surface

What is the origination point of the deep digital flexor tendon?

On the caudal surface above the knee and hock

Where does the deep digital flexor surface insert?

Flexor surface of P3

Where does the superficial digital flexor tendon originate?

On the caudal surface above the knee and hock

Where does the superficial digital flexor tendon insert?

• 1+2 are located on the distal end of p1 on the medial and lateral side of the deep digital flexor tendon

• 3+4 located on the proximal end of P2, on the medial and lateral side of the deep digital flexor tendon