Biometric values obtained by ultrasonography of flexor tendons and inferior accessory and suspensory ligaments of the palmar metacarpal region in Mangalarga Marchador horses

Determinou-se a área transversal (AT) dos tendões e ligamentos da região metacárpica palmar de 15 cavalos da raça Mangalarga Marchador. As áreas transversais do tendão do músculo flexor digital superficial (TFDS), do tendão do músculo flexor digital profundo (TFDP), do ligamento acessório inferior (LA) e do ligamento suspensório (LS) foram determinadas mediante ultra-sonografia, em sete zonas distintas (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B e 3C). Os valores médios da AT para TFDS foram: zona 1A, 1,07±0,13; zona 1B, 0,97±0,12; zona 2A, 0,77±0,08; zona 2B, 0,68±0,12; zona 3A, 0,74±0,10; zona 3B, 0,86±0,10; e zona 3C, 1,33±0,24. Para TFDP foram: zona 1A, 1,09±0,12; zona 1B, 0,99±0,14; zona 2A, 0,72±0,11; zona 2B, 0,63±0,10; zona 3A, 0,71±0,14; zona 3B, 0,87±0,14; e zona 3C, 1,39±0,20. Para LA foram: zona 1A, 1,17±0,14; zona 1B, 0,85±0,11; zona 2A, 0,73±0,12; zona 2B, 0,60±0,16; e zona 3A, 0,42±0,15. Para LS foram: zona 1A, 0,82±0,14; zona 1B, 1,23±0,15; zona 2A, 1,21±0,15; zona 2B, 1,18±0,14; e zona 3A, 1,20±0,31. A AT de cada estrutura avaliada foi similar entre membros torácicos, considerando a mesma zona estudada. Não houve diferença significativa entre a AT do TFDS e a do TFDP.The transversal area (TA) of tendons and ligaments located in the palmar metacarpal region was studied in 15 Mangalarga Marchador horses without locomotor pathology. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFP), accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFP), and suspensory ligament (TIOM) were examined by ultrasonography, at seven different zones (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B e 3C), to determine the TA. The mean TA values for SDFT were: zone 1A, 1.07±0.13; zone 1B, 0.97±0.12; zone 2A, 0.77±0.08; zone 2B, 0.68±0.12; zone 3A, 0.74±0.10; zone 3B, 0.86±0.10; and zone 3C, 1.33±0.24. For DDFT were: zone 1A, 1.09±0.12; zone 1B, 0.99±0.14; zone 2A, 0.72±0.11; zone 2B, 0.63±0.10; zone 3A, 0.71±0.14; zone 3B, 0.87±0.14; and zone 3C, 1.39±0.20. For AL-DDFT were: zone 1A, 1.17±0.14; zone 1B, 0.85±0.11; zone 2A, 0.73±0.12; zone 2B, 0.60±0.16; and zone 3A, 0.42±0.15. For TIOM were: zone 1A, 0.82±0.14; zone 1B, 1.23±0.15; zone 2A, 1.21±0.15; zone 2B, 1.18±0.14; and zone 3A, 1.20±0.31. The TA of each structure examined was similar between the thoracic members in each of the studied zones. No significant difference was found among the TA of the SDFT and that of the DDFP