Hind Limb

Segments of Hind limb/Pelvic limb

Name of the segments Corresponding bones
1. Pelvic girdle ossa coxarum (os coxae of both
sides).
Each os coxae consists of three
bones;
ilium, ischium and pubis
2. Thigh Femur and patella
3. Leg Tibia-fibula
4. Tarsus Tarsal bone
Metatarsus Metatarsal bone
Pes

Digit Phalanges and sesamoid bone

Os-coxae / hip bone: Ilium + Ischium + Pubis

Ossa-coxarum: Os-coxae + Os-coxae

Bony Pelvis / Pelvic girdle: consists of the

ossa coxarum, the sacrum and the first three
or more caudal vertebrae.
 Pelvic Girdle
Consists of ossa coxarum or hip bones.
The ossa coxarum is composed of two hip bones (os coxae).
They are firmly attached ventrally by pelvic symphysis.
Each os-coxae consists of following three bones: Ilium, Ischium,
Pubis
Ilium
•It is the largest and most cranial pelvic bones.
•Irregularly triangular in shape
•2 parts: (Wing and body)
•2 surfaces: gluteal (concave) and pelvic surface (convex)
•3 angles and 3 borders
•The medial angle is called tuber sacrale/sacral tuber which is
close to sacro-iliac joint
•The lateral angle is called tuber coxae
•The area between tuber coxae and tuber sacrale is called wing
of of the ilium and dorsal margin is called iliac crest
•Presence of grater ischiatic notch
Os-Coxae:

Ilium:
• The ilium is is the largest of the three parts and
presents two surfaces and three borders.
• The wide parts of the bone is the wing.

•Gluteal surface-

• faces dorsolaterally and caudally

• the wide part is crossed by the gluteal line
(attached glutei medius et profundus muscle)
•Sacro-pelvic surface-

• faces in the opposite direction

• consists of two distinct parts – medial

triangular part (auricular surface) and the lateral
quadrilateral part (lateral surface)

• the sacropelvic surface is crossed by arcuate

line (iliacus muscle)

•Psoas tubercle – Psoas minor muscle

Three borders:

• The cranial border / crest– thick and rough

• The medial border – is deeply conave. Its middle part forms

the greater ischiatic notch- continue caudally with the ischiatic
spine.

•The lateral border – is concave and nutrient foramen is

usually situated

Angels:

• Medial angle – sacral tuber (highest point of the skeleton)

• Lateral angle – coxal tuber (muscular attachment)

Ischium:
It forms the caudal part of the ventral wall/floor of the bony pelvis. It has
two surfaces, four borders, four angels and it consists of a body, ramus,
tubur and tabula.

Two surfaces:
• Pelvic surface– tabula, ramus, body and tuber (ischiatic tuberosity)
• Ventral surface– flat, rough for the attachement of abductor
muscle.

Four borders:
• Cranial border– caudal margin of the obturator foramen
• Caudal border– forming the ischiatic arch
• Medial border– forming the symphysis
• Lateral border– forming the lesser ischiatic notch

Four angles:
Pubis:

It is the smallest of the three parts of the os-coxae. It

has a body, two surfaces, three borders and two
branches.

Two surfaces:
• Pelvic surface– convex in male and concave
and smooth in female
• Ventral surface– pubic groove for accessory
ligament.

Three borders:
• Cranial border– near the symphysis the ventral
Ossa coxarum (dorsal view)

Tuber Sacrale
Tuber coxae

Wing of the ilium

Pubis
Body of the
ilium

Pubic
Symphysis
Acetabulum
Ischial arch

Obturator foramen

Ischial symphysis
Ischium
Acetabulum/Cotyloid Cavity
•Acetabulum is a deep depression in the hip bone.
•Acetabulum is formed by the union of ilium, ischum and pubis.
and lodges the head of the femur.
•Acetabular notch

The obturator foramen

•It is formed by ischium and pubis
•The obturator foramen is a large, elliptical opening on the floor
of the pelvis and is situated between the ischium and the pubis
•Largest foramen of the body.

The bony pelvis

•composed of the ossa coxarum, sacrum and first 3 caudal
vertebrae
Pelvic inlet:
 Difference of ossa coxarum between
stallion and mare
• The conjugate (vertical) and transverse diameters
are greater in the female so that the cavity is
roomier.
• The average conjugate diameter is 23-24 cm in
the mare, and 18.75 cm in the stallion.
• The transverse diameter is also same as the
conjugate.
• The pelvic inlet and outlet is greater in female
animals.
• The cavity is much roomy in mare.
• The floor of the pubic bone is concave in mare
and convex in stallion.
• The obturator foramen is larger in female animals.
 Sexual differences of the pelvic girdle
POINTS STALLION (Male) MARE (Female)

Conjugated Smaller 18.75 cm Larger 24 cm

diameter
(sacropubic)
Pelvic inlet & outlet Comparatively Comparatively
smaller larger
Ischial arch Comparatively less About 1/3 wider
wider than horse
Pubic floor Pubic floor is thick Comparatively thin
and convex and concave

Obturator foramen Comparatively Comparatively

 Difference of ossa coxarum between
horse and ox
• In ox, acetabulum is small and having two notches, in
horse, there is one only.
• Ventral pubic tubercle is present only in ox.
• Ischial tuberosity is quadrilateral plate form in horse
but in Ox divided into three parts
• The ischiatic arch is deeper and larger in the bovine
than in the equine
• The two os coxae are almost parallel to each other
and, ilia forms much smaller angle with the horizontal
plane in ox.
 Femur
Thigh bone
Femur is the largest and most massive of the long bones.
It extends obliquely distally and craniad.
It articulates with the acetabulum proximally and the
tibia &
patella distally.
It presents a body and two extremities.

Body:
Body or shaft is cylindrical but flattened caudally.
Cranial, medial and lateral surfaces are continuous and
strongly convex from side to side and it is covered by
quadriceps femuris muscles.
Caudal surface is wide, flat and smooth in its proximal
fourth and distal to this part there is a rough elevation for
femoral tendon of biceps femoris.
Borders: Two Borders

Medial Border
In its proximal part it bears lesser trochanter on
which iliopsoas muscle attaches
Nutrient formen is found cranial to its bony mark in
horse but in case of ox nutrient foramen is absent
Medial supracondyloid tuberosity situated ventral
to the groove on which medial head of
gastrocnemius muscle attaches
In case of ox- lesser trochanter has the form a
rough tuberosity, is situated higher up than the
horse
Lateral Border

It is prominent in its proximal part, it bears

trochonter tertius process which curved cranially on
which gluteus superficialis muscle attaches
In case of ox, trochonter tertius is absent
Supracondyloid fossa in its distal part in horse
(in ox the fossa is shallow)
Lateral supracondyloid tuberosity also found in
distal part on which lateral head of gastrocnemius
muscle attaches
Extremity
Proximal extremity
It is large and consists of head, neck and greater trochanter on
which gluteus profundus and medius muscle attaches
Head is directed medially, proximally and cranially that
articulates with the acetabulum
Head medially cut by a deep notch (fovea capitis femoris) in
which accessory ligaments attaches
Neck is distinct cranially and medially
Greater trochanter is situated laterally
Trochanteric crest is situated just behind the head near the
neck on which trochanteric fossa is found
Intertrochanteric crest connects the lesser and greater
trochanter
In case of ox head is small
Distal extremity
It is large and consists of trochlea cranially and two
condyles caudally
Trochlea consists of two ridges separated by a groove
and forms an extensive surface for articulation with patella
Two condyles : medial and lateral are separated by the
intercondyloid fossa on which cruciate ligament attaches
Medial epicondyle is rounded on the medial surface on
which colateral ligament and adductor muscle are
attached
Lateral epicondyle is less distinct
Extensor fossa between the lateral condyle and trochlea
(extensor digitorum longus and fibularis tertis muscles is
attached here)
Femur of OX
Femur Distal Extrimity
 Differences of the Femur in Horse & Ox
POINTS Horse OX
Trochanter Tertius/Third Present Absent
Trochanter
Fovea Capitis Deep Shallow
Greater Trochanter Divided Undivided

In case of ox
The body is relatively small than horse
Head is small
In medial border, nutrient foramen is absent
Trochonter tertius is absent
Trochanteric fossa is deep
Supracondyloid fossa is shallow
 Thigh: Patella
• Kneecap (patella)
• Largest sesamoid bone
• Triangular in shape
• Located in the front of the trochlea of the femur.
• Its articular surface faces caudally towards the femur;
• Free surface faces cranially
• Palpable under the skin.
Patella
Patella
Patella
 Leg: Tibia
• It is a strong and massive bone.
• It consists of-
1. Proximal extremity- articulate with the femur and
patella and forming stifle joint
2. Shaft and
3. Distal extremity-articulate with the tarsal bone
and forming tarsal joint
Features of Proximal Extremity
• Present 2 Condyles (lateral & medial)
• 2 Tuberosity (lateral & medial)
• Tibial Spine/Intercondyloid Eminence
• Sulcus Muscularis
• Popliteal Notch-separates the condyles
• Fibula-head of the fibula attached to lateral part of lateral
condyle
 Leg: Tibia
Features of Shaft/Body
•The bone is twisted in appearance.
•It presents 3 surface (lateral, medial, and caudal/posterior)
and
•3 borders (cranial, lateral and medial).
•Tibial Crest-upper part of the cranial border
•Popliteal line- one in number, caudal surface, extends to the
middle of the medial border
•Muscular lines- many in caudal surface
•Nutrient Foramen: laterally in ox and middle in horse
Features of Distal Extremity
•Present 2 Sagittal Grooves for articulation with the ridges of
tibial tarsal
•Sagittal Ridge-separates 2 grooves
•Lateral Malleolus-lateral border
•Medial Malleolus
 Differences of the Tibia in Horse & Ox
POINTS Horse OX
Tubercle Present Absent

Nutrient Foramen Middle Laterally

 Leg: Fibula
• Highly variable among species.
• Developed in horse, dog and pig.
• This bone is rudimentary in ox and fused with tibia
• Proximal end is fused with lateral condyle of the tibia
• The fibula is separated from the tibia by interosseous
space.
Leg: Fibula
 Description of Pes of Ox and Horse
Pes – It consists of-
1.Tarsus/Tarsals
2.Metatarsus/Metatarsals
3.Digits- Each digit contains three phalanges
and three sesamoid bones.

The phalanges are as follows-

•1st phalanx or proximal phalanx
•2nd phalanx or middle phalanx
•3rd phalanx or distal phalanx
 Description of Pes of Ox and Horse
Tarsus/tarsals:
•Consists of tarsal bones.
•Tarsal bones are arranged in two rows: the proximal and distal.
A) Proximal row consists of (in mediolateral sequence):
• Tibial tarsal bone or Talus-bone
• Fibular tarsal bone or Calcaneus-- large bone
• Middle or intertarsal row and
• Central tarsal bone (os tarsi centrale)
B) Distal or metatarsal row (in mediolateral sequence) consists
of:
• first tarsal bone
• second tarsal bone
• third tarsal bone
• fourth tarsal bone
 Description of Tarsus of OX

In OX, there are five tarsal bones such as –

Talus or tibial tarsus
Calcaneus or fibular tarsus
Central and 4th fused tarsal
1st, 2nd + 3rd tarsal bone

Arrangement:
Proximal row – Talus, Calcaneus, Central + 4th tarsal
bone

Distal row – 1st tarsal bone, 2nd + 3rd tarsal bone

 Description of Talus of Ox and Horse
Talus
•Tibial tarsal-look like trochlea or pully like appearance
•The talas is situated at the tibial (medial) side and has a
trochlea for articulation with the distal end of the tibia.
•Medial bone of the proximal row of the tarsus.
•Divided into body, trochlea and a cylindrical head
•Elongated Pully
•2 ridges at proximal end
•2 condyles at distal end
•It articulates with fibular tarsal (calcaneus), proximally with
tibia and distally with central and 4th fused tarsal.
 Description of Calcaneus of Ox and Horse
Calcaneous
•Fibular tarsal bone
•Elongated short bone
•The calcaneus is situated at the fibular (lateral) side
•Form point of the hock.
•Presents the calcaneal tuberosity/tuber in proximal end
Description of Talus, Calcaneus of Ox and Horse
 Description of Metatarsus/Metatarsals of
Horse
The metatarsus contain typically five metatarsal
bones, one for each digit.
They are long bones and are designated numerically
as first, second, third and fourth metatarsal bone from
the medial to the lateral side.
In horse, the metatarsal bones, three (3) in number. Of
these, the 3rd metatarsal bone is fully developed and
carries a digit. The other two, the 2nd and 4th are
small metatarsal bones and do not carry any digit.
 Description of Metatarsus/Metatarsals of
Ox
In cattle, the metatarsus consists of a large metatarsal
and a small metatarsal bone.
The large metatarsal bone results from the fusion of
the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones of the fetus. The
dorsal surface is rounded and marked by a vertical
vascular groove, the longitudinal sulcus.
The distal end or condyle is divided into two parts by a
sagittal notch, the intertrochlear incisor.
Description of Metatarsus/Metatarsals
Description of Metatarsus/Metatarsals of
Ox
 Differences of the Metatarsal & Metacarpal
POINTS Ox Horse
Shape Flattened & Cylindrical/
Semicylindrical Rounded
Dorsal Longitudinal groove Present Absent

Distal Foramen Present Absent

Sagittal Notch/Ridge Sagittal Notch Sagittal Ridge

Metacarpal & Metatarsal Bone

OX HORSE
 Difference of the Metacarpal and Metatarsal
of OX
POINTS Metacarpal Metatarsal
Length/Size Cranially Convex Comparative
Caudally Flattened Larger, 4 sided
Comparative square
Smaller
Dorsal Longitudinal Shallow & Narrow Deep and Wide
groove
Description of Metatarsus/Metatarsals
 Difference of the Metacarpal and Metatarsal
of Horse
POINTS Metacarpal Metatarsal
Length/Size Comparative Comparative
Smaller & Larger
Flattened Round &
Cylindrical
Splint Bone Present Absent
In Horse, splint bone is present in only metacarpal
bone, absent in metatarsal bone.
Description of Metatarsus/Metatarsals
 JOINT OF THE HIND LIMB

Joint ‘s Associated bones

Name
a) Hip joint Acetabulum of os coxae + Head of femur
b) Stifle joint Distal end of Femur + Patella + Proximal end
of Tibia & Fibula
c) Tarsal / Distal end of Tibia + Tarsal bones + Proximal
hock Joint end of metatarsal bone
d) Fetlock Distal end of metatarsal bone + First phalanx
joint
e) Pestern Between the First phalanx and Second
joint phalanx
f) Coffin joint Between the First phalanx and Second
phalanx