Characterization of the palmar digital nerve of the equine forelimb

Abstract

60 mixed breed horse forelimb from a slaughterhouse in Santiago, Chile were analyzed. The digital palmar nerve expresses its dorsal and palmar branches before (33%) or in the beginning of the fetlock joint (33%). It was found that 60% of the samples had between 1 to 4 accessory branches which are presented in a similar way on different areas, being the most frequent (26%) those located in the pastern joint and aimed to dorsal. In a 46,66% of the samples the digital palmar nerve is not directly related withany structure, followed in a 33,33%, by the union of this with the ergot ligament. It is very rare that the nerve expresses superficial branches aimed to the dermis (6,66%), divided in three big branches on the fetlock joint (3,33%), or went under the digital artery (3,33%), and it is more frequent that the nerve went over the artery in some moment of its path, which occurred in the 35% of the cases. These results are presented in a relevant way, being considered in diagnostic ofsurgical procedures on theequine forelimb distal region, because they can change its sensibility and effectiveness.