title: [Anatomy of the splint bones and their surrounding area particularly in consideration of fascial attachments].
abstract: This study concerns the vestigial metacarpal and metatarsal bones, so called splint bones. The soft tissues, which stabilize the splint bones were carefully examined. The palmar metacarpal/plantar metatarsal fascia, the metacarpal/metatarsal interosseous ligaments and the fibres, which exit distally from the splint bone, were examined in depth. Cadaveric distal limbs were collected from 5 slaughtered or euthanized horses. The legs were examined both, microscopically and macroscopically. The palmar metacarpal/plantar metatarsal fascia is a very stable structure, which connects the splint bone with its environment. The connection between splint and McIII/MtIII, established through the metacarpal/ metatarsal interosseous ligaments, showed impressive differences between specimens examined. Macroscopic examination of the soft tissue in the distal region showed a band structure, which originates from the distal end of the splint bone and extends in dorsal and distal direction towards the proximal sesamoid bone.
authors.affiliation: Pferdeklinik Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich. mjackson@vetclinics.unizh.ch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Geyer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fürst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D005205:Fascia / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology*