الفهرس 
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Abstract
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the ultrasonographic and anatomical characteristics of normal tendons and ligaments at the palmar/plantar aspect of the distal limb in donkeys. This study involved in two phases, phase I (ultrasonographic study) and phase II (anatomical study). In phase I, B-mode ultrasonography was conducted for all tendons and ligaments at palmar/plantar aspect of metacarpal/metatarsal (divided into seven examination levels) and phalangeal (divided into four examination levels) regions of twelve clinically normal native breed donkeys. The targeted structures at the palmar/plantar aspect of metacarpal/metatarsal regions were examined using transverse and longitudinal scans while those at palmar/plantar aspect of pastern region were examined only using transverse scan. The examined structures were evaluated in terms of shape, echogenicity, echogenic pattern, fiber alignment pattern and cross-sectional area. In phase II, an anatomical study (longitudinal dissection and cross sectional anatomy) was conducted on distal limbs of four of the animals previously enrolled into phase I.
The results revealed that, in transverse scan, tendons and ligaments at palmar/plantar aspect of metacarpal/metatarsal and pastern regions were of characteristic shapes that were constant at some examination levels while varied at others. The existence of certain ligaments also varied at some examination levels compared to others. Regarding echogenicity, some structures were isoechoic to each other while others seemed to be hypo or hyperechoic to other structures. The echogenicity among structures showed also variability in between examination levels. For echogenic pattern, all tendons and ligaments were of homogenous echogenicity except for one ligament (suspensory ligament) at palmar/plantar aspect of metacarpal/metatarsal regions that was of heterogeneous echogenicity.
Additionally, the longitudinal scan of palmar/plantar aspect of metacarpal/metatarsal regions revealed that along different examination levels, the scanned tendons had linear and parallel fiber alignment while ligaments displayed mostly in constant fiber alignment pattern (linear/parallel or waving or indefinite pattern). For cross sectional area, the scanned tendons and ligaments at palmar/plantar aspect of metacarpal/metatarsal regions as well as pastern region presented some variations in their cross sectional area along different examination levels. By comparing tendons and ligaments of palmar metacarpal and plantar metatarsal regions, certain differences were evident in their ultrasonographic characteristics.
On conclusion, based on the obtained results, this study has established to great extent the anatomical and sonographic characteristics of normal tendons and ligaments at the palmar/plantar aspect of the distal limb in donkeys.
Keywords: Donkey`s Distal Limb, Ultrasonography