Elbow of Canine

Full Title: Elbow of Canine

Author: Lauren Hubach

Date of Publication: October 9, 2012

PDF: http://petmassage.com/wp-content/uploads/Elbow-of-Canine-by-Lauren-Hubach-2012-10-09.pdf

Research Paper Text:

The forelimb of a dog is comprised of many bones, joints and ligaments. Located just behind the chest on the back of the foreleg is the elbow. It is a major weight-bearing joint of the canine forelimb. -Cheryl Schwartz, DVM; Four Paws Five Directions; p. 344

The elbow is a joint, referred to as the cubital joint, formed between the distal end of the humerus and the proximal end of both the radius and ulna. The radius and ulna are separate, not fused together, in the canine elbow. This allows for joint movements such as flexion and extension, pronation and supination. Annette Vindenes; http://studentvet.wordpress.com/2010/07/25

You will find Hyaline cartilage on the surface of this joint. It is this cartilage that makes the surface of the elbow smoothe, and reduces friction in the joint. Hyaline cartilage is lubricated by the synovial fluid which is produced by the membrane of the same name, the synovial membrane. The elbow joint “pouches” between the radius and ulna, and are surrounded by the annular ligament as well as the collateral ligaments. The annular ligament of the radius attaches to the sides of the coronoid process of the ulna. A ring is formed when this annular ligament meets the collateral ligaments of the radius. It is this meeting point in the elbow that allows the radial head to turn during pronation and supination. -Robert A. Kainer, DVM, MS and Thomas O. McCracken, MS; Dog Anatomy, A Coloring Atlas; plate 15 -Vetstreet Pets Portal; https://www.vetsecure.com/abingtonvet.net/articles/56

Blood is provided to this joint by the subclavian artery. And the most predominant nerves in the elbow joint are the ulnar nerve, radial nerve and olecranon. Damage or trauma to these nerves can cause loss of functionality in the elbow. When the elbow joint isn’t functioning properly, or at all, it can result in instability, severe pain and even lameness in the forelimb. -Caroline Davis; Essential Dog; p.133

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