Radiographic anatomy of the soft tissue attachments of the equine stifle.

Reasons for performing study: Radiography is a very important aspect of equine stifle imaging. The precise radiographic anatomy of the soft tissue structures of the equine stifle has not been described previously. Objective: To describe the anatomical relationship between sites of attachment of soft tissue structures of the equine stifle and their locations on standard radiographic views. Methods: The sites of bony attachments of the tendons, ligaments and fibrous portion of the joint capsules of equine stifles were determined by gross dissection. These sites of attachment were transposed onto one set of bones deprived of soft tissue and mapped using radiopaque markers. This specimen was then radiographed in the standard radiographic projections (lateromedial, caudocranial and caudal 60 degrees lateral-craniomedial oblique) to determine the position of the attachment sites on the radiographs. Results: Two radiographic maps were drawn per radiographic projection, one for the attachment sites of the ligaments and tendons and one for the attachment sites of the joint capsules. Conclusions and potential relevance: The radiographic maps of the precise position of the soft tissue attachments of the tendons, ligaments and joint capsules of the equine stifle should assist interpretation of equine stifle radiographs.