• Thoracic Limb
  • Thoracic girdle
  • Arm
  • Forearm
    • Radius
    • Ulna
  • Forepaw
• Pelvic Limb
  • Pelvic girdle
  • Thigh
  • Leg
    • Tibia
    • Fibula
  • Hindpaw
• Vertebral Column
  • Vertebrae
  • Ribs
  • Sternum
• Skull
  • Introduction
  • Braincase
  • Facial bones
  • Cavities of skull
  • Quizzes

 

Thoracic Limb

Thoracic Girdle

Scapula: The scapula possesses two surfaces, three borders, and three angles.  The ventral angle is the distal or articular end that forms the glenoid cavity, and the constricted part that unites with the expanded blade is defined as the neck. The spine is the most noticeable feature on the lateral surface of the scapula. Its distal end is a truncated process, the acromion, where part of the deltoideus muscles arises. The spine divides the lateral surface of the scapula into two equally sized fossae, the supraspinous fossa, cranial to the spine, and the infraspinous fossa caudal to it.
The glenoid cavity articulates with the head of the Humerus. At the cranial part of the cavity found an eminence, the supraglenoid tubercle with medial inclination, the coracoid process.  On the caudal most part of the glenoid cavity can be found another eminence the infraglenoid tubercle, from which arises the teres minor and the long head of the triceps.

Clinical correlation: Fractures of the scapula are relatively uncommon and may be classified on the basis of anatomical locations, i.e., fracture of the body and spine, acromion process, glenoid and supraglenoid tuberosity. The most common cause of scapular fracture is automobile trauma (68 percent), and 56 percent of cases have concurrent injury to other organ system.  Long-standing complications include suprascapular neuropathy due to entrapment, and limitation of range of movement and osteoarthrosis in unreduced fractures of the neck or articular surface, particularly in large, athletic animals.