Lecture Notes on Joints and Ligaments (Canine Anatomy)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key joint types, ligaments, and anatomical features mentioned in the lecture notes.

Atlanto-Occipital Joint (OC1)

Ellipsoid joint between the occipital condyles and the atlas’ articular fovea; mainly enables flexion and extension; primary nodding movement of the head.

Atlantoaxial Joint

Pivot joint between atlas (C1) and axis (C2); allows head rotation around the dens.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

Process of C2 that acts as the pivot for rotation of C1 around the axis; protrudes into the vertebral canal and is stabilized by ligaments.

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilaginous joint between adjacent vertebrae; contains the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus; thickness varies with location.

Nucleus Pulposus

Central gelatinous core of an intervertebral disc; can herniate through the annulus fibrosus.

Annulus Fibrosus

Fibrous rings surrounding the nucleus pulposus; resists stress; ventral side is thicker than the dorsal side in the cervical region.

Nuchal Ligament

Specialized cervical ligament from C2 to T1; supports head, more prominent in dogs and horses; helps hold the head up.

Supraspinous Ligament

Ligament running along the tips of the spinous processes from T1 to the sacrum; prevents abnormal separation of vertebrae.

Interspinous Ligament

Ligament between adjacent spinous processes; provides additional stability of the vertebral column.

Costotransverse Joint

Synovial plane joint between the rib and the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra; permits a small amount of movement.

Sternocostal Joint

Synovial joints between ribs and sternum; small but present movement stabilized by surrounding ligaments.

Glenohumeral Joint (Shoulder Joint)

Ball-and-socket joint between the glenoid cavity of the scapula and the humeral head; highly mobile with stability aided by a labrum, capsule, and ligaments.

Glenoid Labrum

Fibrocartilaginous rim around the glenoid cavity that deepens the socket and enhances stability.

Transverse Humeral Retinaculum

Ligamentous band that holds the biceps tendon in place as it passes between the humeral tubercles.

Rotator Cuff

Group of muscles/tendons (subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) stabilizing the shoulder.

Elbow Joint (Humeroulnar Joint)

Primary hinge joint formed by the articulation of the humerus and ulna; main movement is flexion/extension.

Humeroradial Joint

Part of the elbow complex; articulation between the humerus and radius; contributes to elbow movement.

Proximal Radioulnar Joint

Pivot joint between the head of the radius and the ulna; enables pronation and supination.

Distal Radioulnar Joint

Condyloid joint near the wrist; allows a small amount of rotation; continuous with the radiocarpal joint.

Interosseous Membrane (Radius–Ulna / Tibia–Fibula)

Fibrous sheet connecting radius and ulna (and tibia and fibula); provides stability and sites for interosseous ligaments.

Annular Ligament (Radius)

Ligament encircling the head of the radius to stabilize the proximal radioulnar joint.

Carpal Canal (Carpal Tunnel)

Canal formed by flexor retinaculum and palmar carpal structures; houses tendons and median nerve; in dogs analogous to the carpal tunnel.

Paracarpal Fibrocartilage

Thickened fibrocartilage in the canine carpus; supports the palm/central part of the carpus.

Flexor Retinaculum

Palmar thickening that forms the roof of the carpal canal; extends from the accessory carpal bone to the carpal bones.

Intermetacarpal Joints

Joints between the heads of adjacent metacarpal bones; small, stabilized by ligaments.

Metacarpophalangeal Joint

Joint between a metacarpal and its corresponding proximal phalanx; compound joint with sesamoids; allows flexion/extension.

Proximal Interphalangeal Joint

Joint between the proximal and middle phalanges; allows flexion/extension; has collateral and dorsal ligaments.

Distal Interphalangeal Joint

Joint between the middle and distal phalanges; allows flexion/extension; stabilization by ligaments.

Sesamoid Bones (General)

Small bones within tendons near joints (e.g., in the digits); alter force vectors to increase leverage.

Pelvic Symphysis

Fibrocartilaginous joint uniting left and right halves of the pelvis; cranial pubic part and caudal ischial part; motion decreases with age.

Pubic Symphysis / Ischial Symphysis

Parts of the pelvic symphysis; pubic (cranial) and ischial (caudal) components facilitating pelvic integrity.

Sacroiliac Joint

Joint between sacrum and ilium; mixed synovial and fibrocartilaginous character; ligaments (ventral and dorsal) provide stability; often fused craniodorsally.

Sacrotuberous Ligament

Cord-like ligament from the sacrum to the ischial tuberosity; attachment sites for several muscles; palpable in dogs.

Hip Joint (Coxofemoral Joint)

Ball-and-socket joint between femoral head and acetabulum; deepened by the acetabular labrum and transverse acetabular ligament; ligament of the head of the femur aids stability.

Acetabulum

Bony socket formed by ilium, ischium, and pubis; deepened by the acetabular labrum and transverse ligament.

Acetabular Labrum

Fibrocartilaginous rim around the acetabulum that deepens the socket and stabilizes the hip.

Ligament of the Head of the Femur (Round Ligament)

Ligament connecting the femoral head to the acetabular fossa; provides internal stabilization of the hip.

Stifle Joint (Canine Knee)

Compound condylar joint consisting of tibiofemoral and patellofemoral articulations; patella glides on the femur.

Menisci (Medial and Lateral)

Semilunar fibrocartilage discs in the stifle; increase congruence between femur and tibia; attachments differ (medial more tied to capsule/medial collateral).

Cranial (Anterior) Cruciate Ligament

Ligament crossing from the lateral femoral condyle to the cranial tibia; restricts cranial tibial translation and rotation.

Caudal (Posterior) Cruciate Ligament

Ligament crossing from the femur to the caudal tibia; restrains caudal tibial translation.

Medial Collateral Ligament

Ligament on the medial aspect of the stifle; stabilizes in the sagittal plane and resists medial rotation.

Lateral Collateral Ligament

Ligament on the lateral aspect of the stifle; stabilizes in the sagittal plane and resists lateral rotation.

Patellar Ligament (Median Patellar Ligament)

Ligament connecting the patella to the tibial tuberosity; part of the extensor mechanism.

Patellofemoral Ligaments (Medial & Lateral)

Ligaments connecting the patella to the femur on the medial and lateral sides; stabilize patella within the groove.

Patella

Knee cap; a sesamoid within the quadriceps tendon; tracks within the femoral groove.

Proximal Tibiofibular Joint

Small synovial joint between the proximal ends of tibia and fibula; limited movement; communicates with the knee.

Distal Tibiofibular Joint

Small gliding joint between distal tibia and fibula; stability via ligaments; connects to the tibiotarsal joint.

Interosseous Membrane (Tibia–Fibula)

Fibrous sheet extending along the length between tibia and fibula; provides stability and separation of compartments.

Tarsal Joints (Hind Foot)

Compound joints in the tarsus (ankle region) including the talocrural (talo-crural) joint and intertarsal joints; saddle-like surfaces allow mainly flexion/extension with limited other movements.

Talocrural Joint (Talo-Crural)

True ankle joint between the tibia and the talus; primary movement is dorsiflexion/plantarflexion.

Tarso-Metatarsal Joint

Joint between the tarsal bones and metatarsals; shows saddle-like configuration with restricted movement for stability.

Proximal Intertarsal Joint

Joints between the proximal row of tarsal bones; Limited mobility.

Distal Intertarsal Joint

Joints between the distal row of tarsal bones; Limited mobility.