D
A saddle joint between the distal phalanx (coffin bone) and the middle phalanx (short pastern bone).
E
F
The joint between the cannon bone (3rd metacarpus/metatarsus) and the long pastern bone (proximal phalanx). Also known as the metacarpophalangeal joint.
H
J
The point of contact between two or more bones. Joints are classified according to structure and function. Structural classification is determined by how the bones connect to each other. The most obvious are synovial joints, where the bone ends are not directly joined but are held together by a capsule filled with viscous fluid. These joints are capable of a wide range of movement. Fibrous joints are joined by dense fibrous connective tissue and practically imobile for example the fibrous joints between the skull bones. In cartilaginous joints, the ends of the bone are joined by a 'bridge' of cartilage, allowing a small degree of movement, for example the joints between the body of the vertebrae.
A capsule made of fibrous connective tissue that is firmly attached to the periosteum of the bone at the edge of the joint cartilage. The joint capsule completely envelopes the joint and is lined by a membrane (synovial membane) which secretes the viscousjoint fluid (synovial fluid).
O
Osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal (coffin) joint leading to degeneration of the joint. Chronic irritation and inflammation can arise from overloading or faulty conformation. The periarticular growth of new bone can be seen on radiography and can also be visible as a (sometimes ring-like) bony prominence above the coronary band, hence the names ringbone and buttress foot.
P
The joint between the proximal phalanx (long pastern bone) and the middle phalanx (short pastern bone).
S
H
A complex joint between the lower leg and the hind cannon bone of the horse. The joint consists of 4 levels; the tarsocrural joint between the tibia and the talus is a hinge joint with a large range of movement in one plane, the other levels consist of the small hock joints (the proximal and distal intertarsal joint and the tarso-metatarsal joint). The small hock joints have an extremely limited range of movement.
S
The stiflejoint is the equivalent of the kneejoint in humans. The joint is located between the thigh and the leg (gaskin).The bones forming the stifle joint are the femur, the patella and the tibia; there are two joint pouches, one between the femur and the patella (femoropatellar joint) and one between the femur and the tibia (femorotibial joint). The joint contains a pair of cartilagenous menisci and cruciate ligaments.
O
Disorder of a joint associated with degeneration of the articularcartilage and subchondral bone and the development of periostal new bone. The disorder is due to a discrepancy between the mechanical demands on the joint (stress, loading, etc.) and its physical resilience. Symptoms include pain, stiffness (reduced flexibility), heat and effusion of the joint. As the disorder is progressive in nature, most of these changes are permanent and the only form of treatment is to reduce pain with anti-inflammatory drugs and to prevent further development.