Equine Radiographic Anatomy

Views of the hoof

Lateromedial

Dorsopalmar

Lateral radiograph of the equine foot

P1
Proximal interphalangeal joint
AKA pastern joint

Distal interphalangeal joint

AKA coffin joint
P2

P3

Navicular bone

Anatomy:
First phalanx
Second phalanx
Third phalanx
Navicular bone
Proximal
interphalangeal joint
Distal
interphalangeal joint

Distal limb anatomy

Extensor process of P3
Common digital extensor
Deep digital Flexor
Straight sesmoidean
ligament
Insertion of oblique
sesmoidean ligament
Impar ligament
Digital cushion

Lateral radiograph of the equine foot

Articular
surface

Distal
surface

Proximal
surface

Flexor
surface

Views of the hoof

Dorsal proximal to palmar distal
( Upright pedal )

Good view to asses solar margin of P3 and the navicular bone

Dorsal proximal to palmar distal

Navicular bone
Coffin bone/P3
Vascular channels
Solar margin
Semilunar canal
Wings of the
coffin bone

Dirt in the
white line
on bottom
of hoof

Vascular channels
Crena margins solearis
Crena margins solearis - a smooth rounded concavity of
the distal phalanx solar margin (more prominent in
hindlimb)

Views of the hoof

Palmar proximal to palmar distal
( Skyline )

Good view to asses flexor surface and medullary cavity of

the navicular bone

Palmar proximal to palmar distal

(skyline)

Navicular bone
Flexor surface
Medullary cavity
Wings of coffin
bone

Dorsoproximolateral to
palmarodistomedialTo throw out the lateral wing of P3.

Equine Metacarpal-phalangeal joint

Fetlock
Lateral

Dorsal palmar
Prox.
Sesamoids

Flexed lateral

DLPMO
MC4

MC3

P1

The only way to know medial versus lateral and

which limb is radiographed is if the film was
Proximal sesamoids
Ergot
correctly
labeled
image
was
Lateral
condyleatofthe
MC3time the
Sagittal
ridge
obtained.

The views
Radiographs are named by the direction
through which the photons transverse the
patient.
Dorsal

Lateral

Medial

Palmar

Dorsopalmar radiograph of the carpus

Dorsopalmar view equine carpus

Radius

Radial
CB

Intermediate
CB

2nd CB
Third CB

MC2

Lat. Styloid
process

Ulnar CB
2

4th CB

MC3
Dorsal view of the carpal bones

MC4

MC2

I
3

MC3

U
4

MC4

The views
Lateromedial
Dorsal

Lateral

Medial

Palmar

Radiographs are the most sensitive on the edges

Flexed views
Manipulation of the limb to better image
anatomic structures of interest.

Visualization of
articular surfaces

Lateral views of the equine carpus

Three main joints:
Radial carpal
Middle carpal
Carpal metacarpal

Anatomy:
Radial carpal
bone
Intermediate
carpal bone
Ulnar carpal
bone
C3
C4

* Need to know how to

differentiate between radial and
intermediate carpal bones and
C3 versus C4. So if there is a chip
fracture, you can tell the surgeon
which bone is fractured.

Flexed lateral radiograph of the carpus

Dorsolateral to palmaromedial
Dorsal

Lateral

Medial

Palmar

Palmar-lateral structures such as the lateral splint

bone are easily seen in this view.

Palmar lateral surface

Dorsal medial surface

Dorsolateral to palmaromedial
radiograph of the equine carpus

R
C3

C4
MC4

Accessory carpal
bone curled
around and well
projected.
Articulates with
ulnar carpal bone.

On the lateral
surface, the
fourth carpal
bone is not
aligned with MC4

Dorsomedial to palmarolateral
Dorsal

Medial

Palmar

There is summation of structures in the middle,

such as the lateral splint bone.

C2
MC2

Palmar medial surface

Dorsal lateral surface

Dorsomedial to palmarolateral
radiograph of the equine carpus
Accessory carpal
bone is poorly
visualized.

Medially the
second carpal
bone stacks up
nicely on top of
MC2.

DMPLO Equine Carpus

C2
C1
MC2

The first carpal bone

is sometimes present
and the fifth carpal
bone is rarely present.
They are non-articular,
will vary in size, have
smooth margins and
may be present on one
side only.

Sky line views

Lateral to medial radiograph of the

equine tarsus
1
2

4
5
6

Anatomy:
1. Tibia
2. Calcaneous
3. Chestnut
4. Tarsocrural joint
5. Proximal intertarsal joint
6. Distal intertarsal joint
7. Tarsometatarsal joint
8. Metatarsal 3

Dorsoplantar view of the equine tarsus

Lateral
malleolus
TIBIA
Lateral
malleolus

Lateral
trochlear
ridge of the
talus
TB 4

DIRT

Medial
malleolus

DIRT

Medial
trochlear
ridge of
the talus

Medial trochlear
ridge of the talus
TB3

Central TB

TB 4 Central TB
TB3

MT3
4
Dorsal view of the tarsus

Medial
malleolus

MT3

DLPMO
Calcaneous
Distal intermediate
ridge of the tibia
MT4 Lateral splint
bone
MT2 Medial splint
bone
Fourth tarsal bone
Medial mallelous

Dorsomedial to palmar lateral

radiograph of the tarsus

Lateral trochlear ridge

of the talus
Sustentaculum tali
T1 and T2 fused
Dorsolateral surface of
the tarsometatarsal
joint

Lateromedial view
equine stifle
Medial trochlear
ridge of the femur

Hook

The medial trochlear

ridge is larger than the
lateral trochlear ridge.

Lateral trochlear ridge

of the femur
Patella
Femoral condyles

Tibial condyles
Tibial tuberosity
Extensor fossa of femur
Extensor groove of tibia

29

Caudal to cranial radiograph of the

equine stifle
The fibula can have
multiple separate
centers of ossification.
Do not mistake these as
fractures.

Anatomy:
Medial condyle
Lateral condyle
Medial intercondylar
eminence
Fibula
Medial tibial condyle

In the barn terminology

Knee carpus
Cannon bone MC3
Splint bones MC2 and MC4 in horses
Fetlock metacarpal phalangeal joint
Pastern joint Proximal interphalangeal joint
Coffin joint Distal interphalangeal joint
Coffin bone Distal phalanx