title: Microvasculature of the suspensory ligament of the forelimb of horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the microvascular anatomy of the suspensory ligament of the forelimb of horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  17 cadaveric forelimbs from 9 adult horses with no known history of forelimb lameness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The median artery of the forelimb was cannulated proximal to the antebrachiocarpal joint and injected with contrast medium for CT evaluation of the gross vasculature (n = 2) or India ink to evaluate the microvasculature (12). Routine histologic evaluation was performed on an additional 3 forelimbs to confirm the microvascular anatomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vascular supply of the suspensory ligament of the forelimb originated from branches of the medial and lateral palmar and palmar metacarpal vessels as well as the proximal and distal deep palmar arches. An abundant, longitudinally oriented microvascular supply was evident throughout the length of the suspensory ligament without distinct variation among the proximal, midbody, and distal regions. The intraligamentous blood supply originated from a periligamentous vascular plexus that surrounded the suspensory ligament throughout its length. Histologic findings indicated the presence of a periligamentous connective tissue plexus, which contained vessels that penetrated and anastomosed with an extensive network of intraligamentous vessels throughout the length of the suspensory ligament.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The suspensory ligament of the equine forelimb had an abundant intraligamentous microvascular supply throughout its entire length. The absence of an obvious hypovascular area suggested that regional variations in healing rates of the suspensory ligament are not associated with the microvascular anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.
authors.forename: Megan R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Arnoczky
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pease
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005552:Forelimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000098:blood supply*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media