Canine Pelvic Limb: Arthrology

Sacroiliac joint

the joint between the sacrum and the wing of the ilium

Sacroiliac joint function

stability rather than mobility

Sacrotuberous ligament

stretches from the sacrum to the ischiatic tuberosity; site of insertion for muscles

Three muscles that have their insertion on the sacrotuberous ligament

1.) biceps femoris

2.) superficial gluteal

3.) middle gluteal

Pelvic symphysis

joins the pubis and ischium from each os coxae; cartilaginous in younger animals and ossifies as they get older

Hip joint

articulation between the acetabulum and head of the femur

Hip joint type of joint

ball and socket

Hip joint movements

flexion and extension

Two ligaments of the hip joint

1.) ligament of the femoral head

2.) transverse acetabular ligament

transverse acetabular ligament

very strong ligament that bridges the gap in the acetabular notch

Stifle joint

knee joint; articulation between the femur and patella and femur and tibia

Stifle type of joint

hinge

Two components of the stifle joint

1.) femorotibial joint

2.) femoropatellar joint

femorotibial joint

Joint between femoral condyles and tibial condyles

Two ligaments of the femorotibial joint

1.) medial collateral

2.) lateral collateral

Menisci

Pads of cartilage that lie between the articular surfaces of the bones

Two menisci of the femorotibial joint

1.) medial menisci

2.) lateral menisci

Which of the menisci of the femorotibial joint is thicker and sturdier? Why?

lateral meniscus; fortified by the meniscofemoral ligament and lateral collateral ligament

Two cruciate ligaments of the stifle

1.) cranial cruciate

2.) caudal cruciate

Cranial cruciate ligament

runs from the cranial ascent of of tibia to the medial aspect of the lateral condyle of femur; has very high incidence of tear in the dog

Two tests for the cranial cruciate ligament

1.) cranial drawer test

2.) cranial tibial thrust test

caudal cruciate ligament

runs from the caudal aspect of the tibia to the lateral aspect of the medial condyle

What could potentially be confused for the caudal cruciate ligament? How do you tell the difference between the two?

meniscofemoral ligament; meniscofemoral ligament attaches the lateral meniscus to the femur, the caudal cruciate ligament attaches bone (tibia) to bone (femur)

femoropatellar joint

joint between femur and patella

Two ligaments of the femoropatellar joint

1.) patellar ligament

2.) femoropatellar ligament

patellar ligament

goes from the patella to the tibia tuberosity

femoropatellar ligament

located medially and laterally; attach from the patella to the back of the femur and help prevent patellar luxation