Anatomy of the Palmar Region of the Carpus of the Dog

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Despite dogs being one of the main species in the veterinary field and having been used as animal models for human musculoskeletal research, the anatomical information about the palmar region of the canine carpus found in the literature is inconsistent. After the dissection and evaluation of complementary histology of 86 carpi obtained from 43 dogs, we provide precise information about the location, extensions, and anatomic relations of the palmar carpal components, with special reference to the carpal canal. The results of this study show that the anatomy of the palmar region of the canine carpus is more similar to human wrists than was previously thought. Numerous similar studies about the carpal anatomy of other species have been published; however, to our knowledge, this is the first article to clarify and describe reference information about the anatomy of the palmar region of the canine carpus. ABSTRACT: The palmar region of the canine carpus is anatomically complex, and the information found in the literature about its anatomy is inconsistent. The aims of this prospective, descriptive, anatomic study were (1) the clarification and (2) the description of the precise anatomic composition of the palmar region of the canine carpus, with special reference to the canalis carpi. For this study, 92 cadaveric specimens were obtained from 46 dogs that had died for reasons unrelated to this study. Of these, 43 medium-to-large-breed dogs were randomly selected for the dissection of transverse slices of the carpus. Samples of the flexor retinaculum and flexor carpi radialis tendon and surrounding tissues were taken for complementary histology. For additional histology of the palmar structures in their anatomical position, three small breed dogs were randomly selected for obtaining transverse slices. The anatomic characteristics of the components of the palmar region of the canine carpus were qualitatively described, with special attention to the following structures: flexor retinaculum, flexor carpi radialis muscle, arteria and vena mediana, nervus medianus, interflexorius muscle, flexor digitorum profundus muscle, canalis carpi, and arteria and nervus ulnaris. The findings from this study provide reference information about the anatomy of the palmar region of the canine carpus.