title: Arthroscopically accessible anatomy of the tarsal collateral ligaments in the horse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the arthroscopically accessible anatomy of the tarsal collateral ligaments in the horse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric equine hind limbs (n = 24) obtained from horses without tarsal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two pairs of tarsal joints were used to obtain silicone models of the tarsocrural joint and dissect the tarsal collateral ligaments (CLs). Ten pairs of tarsocrural joints had arthroscopic exploration and the accessible parts of the tarsal CLs were marked with an arthroscopic hook knife. Subsequently, the limbs were dissected and the marked positions were allocated to the specific parts of the CLs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ipsilateral arthroscope and instrument portals were used in each pouch of the tarsocrural joint. Via the plantaromedial pouch, the superficial (2/20 limbs), middle (7), deep (6) or both middle and deep (3) short medial CL and the long medial CL (14) were reached. Access via the plantarolateral pouch allowed manipulation of the deep short lateral CL (20/20 limbs) and the long lateral CL (20). Dorsally, arthroscopy via the dorsomedial pouch gave access to the deep short medial CL (20/20 limbs), while the superficial (9) or middle (10) or both superficial and middle (1) short lateral CL could be reached via the dorsolateral joint recess.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited parts of the tarsal CLs can be observed or manipulated arthroscopically in normal equine tarsocrural joints.
authors: Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. jkuemmerle@vetclinics.uzh.ch
authors: Jan M
authors: JM
authors: Kümmerle
authors: Martin R
authors: MR
authors: Kummer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*