Figure 116 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 115.
Figure 117 Ventrodorsal projection of hip joints and pelvis with full extension of femurs. To simplify the labelling each structure has been numbered on one side or the other but not on both sides. Also the vertebral column has not been fully labelled.
A Ilium
1 Crest
2 Gluteal surface
3 Tuber sacrale or dorsal iliac spine
3(a) Cranial dorsal iliac spine
3(b) Caudal dorsal iliac spine
4 Wing
5 Tuber coxae or ventral iliac spine
5(a) Cranial ventral iliac spine
5(b) Caudal ventral iliac spine
6 Body
B Pubis
7 Position of iliopubic eminence. Eminence is often seen as a distinct process where cranial pubic border joins ilium.
8 Pecten
9 Pubic symphysis. Part of symphysis of pelvis.
C Ischium
10 Ischiatic symphysis. Part of symphysis of pelvis.
11 Obturator foramen
12 Ischiatic spine
13 Ischiatic table
14 Ischiatic tuberosity
15 Ischiatic arch
D Acetabulum
16 Cranial acetabular edge
17 Cranial effective acetabular rim
18 Dorsal acetabular edge
19 Ventral acetabular edge
20 Acetabular fossa
20(a) Acetabular notch
20(b) Acetabular fissure
E Femur
21 Head
22 Neck
23 Greater trochanter
23(a) Trochanteric fossa
24 Lesser trochanter (more distinct in left leg on this X-ray)
25 Body
26 Lateral condyle
27 Medial condyle
28 Intercondyloid fossa F Sacrum
29 Wing
30 Lateral sacral crest
31 Median sacral crest
32 Articular surface with ilium wing
32(a) Synovial part of articular surface
32(b) Cartilaginous part of articular surface G Tibia
H Patella
I Fabella of m. gastrocnemius (lateral and medial heads)
J Fabella of m. popliteus
K Coccygeal vertebra
L Lumbar vertebra. (Chronic degenerative changes are present on the left side of 6th and 7th vertebrae at disc space level. Please see ‘Normality’ in the Introduction.)
M Os penis
Figure 118 Schematic drawing of ventrodorsal projection of hip joints and pelvis with full extension of femurs to demonstrate extent of joints and ligaments.
Sacroiliac joint
This is a combination of a synovial and cartilaginous joint. The joint capsule is very thin and the two wings are united by a layer of fibrocartilage. Both ventrally and dorsally wide bands of sacroiliac ligaments cover the joint capsule. The dorsal group are more substantial.
a Dorsal sacroiliac ligament
b Ventral sacroiliac ligament
c Sacrotuberous ligament
Hip joint
d Joint capsule
e Ligament of the head of the femur. Formerly called the round ligament. It extends from the fovea capitis of the femoral head to the acetabular fossa. The fovea capitus is not clearly seen in this radiograph but is often visible as a flattening on the medial aspect of the femoral head.
f Transverse acetabular ligament
g Soft tissue shadow of prepuce. This shadow often causes confusion if it is not identified and traced along its entire length. The increase in radiopacity created by its superimposition over bony structures may lead to misdiagnosis.
Figure 119 Schematic drawing of ventrodorsal projection of hip joints and pelvis with full extension of femurs to demonstrate a typical location of the anal sacs.
1 Anal sac (left)
2 Anal sac (right)
3 Tail base
Gas-filled anal sacs can occasionally be seen in the region of the ischial bones or obturator foramena. They may be unilaterally or bilaterally gas filled. When bilaterally seen they are asymmetrical in size. The lucent appearance of gas-filled anal sacs must not be confused with ischial bone pathology. Where they are fluid filled they may be seen as bilateral soft tissue shadows either side of the tail base.
Figure 120 Ventrodorsal projection of hip joints and pelvis with abduction of femurs. The so-called ‘frog legged’ projection. Beagle dog 2.5 years old, entire male. The same dog as in Figure 115. (Approximately 100% of original size.)
Figure 121 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 120.
Figure 122 Ventrodorsal projection of hip joints and pelvis with abduction of femurs. The so-called ‘frog legged’ projection.
A Ilium
1 Crest
2 Tuber sacrale or dorsal iliac spine
2(a) Cranial aspect of dorsal iliac spine
2(b) Caudal aspect of dorsal iliac spine
3 Wing
4 Tuber coxae or ventral iliac spine
4(a) Cranial ventral iliac spine
4(b) Caudal ventral iliac spine
5 Body
B Pubis
6 Position of iliopubic eminence. The eminence is more prominent in this projection than in the corresponding fully extended femora projection Figure 117.
7 Pecten
8 Pubic symphysis. Part of symphysis of pelvis.
C Ischium
9 Ischiatic symphysis. Part of symphysis of pelvis.
10 Obturator foramen
11 Ischiatic spine
12 Ischiatic table
13 Ischiatic tuberosity
14 Ischiatic arch
D Acetabulum
15 Cranial acetabular edge
16 Cranial effective acetabular rim
17 Dorsal acetabular edge
18 Ventral acetabular edge
19 Acetabular fossa
19(a) Acetabular notch
19(b) Acetabular fissure
E Femur
20 Head
21 Neck
22 Greater trochanter
23 Lesser trochanter
24 Body
F Sacrum
25 Wing
26 Lateral sacral crest
27 Median sacral crest
28 Sacroiliac articulation. Synovial part cranial to cartilaginous part of joint.
G Coccygeal vertebra
H Lumbar vertebra (see comments on fully extended femora projection Figure 117)
I Os penis
Figure 123 Lateral projection of hip joints and pelvis. Beagle dog 2.5 years old, entire male. (Approximately 110% of original size.)
Figure 124 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 123.
Figure 125 Lateral projection of hip joints and pelvis.
A Ilium
1 Crest
2 Tuber sacrale or dorsal iliac spine
2(a) Cranial aspect of spine
2(b) Caudal aspect of spine
3 Caudal ventral iliac spine (cranial ventral iliac spine is not visible in this film). Cranial and caudal ventral iliac spines form the tuber coxae or ventral iliac spine.
4 Wing
5 Body
B Pubis
6 Iliopubic eminence
7 Pecten of pubis
C Ischium
8 Pelvic symphysis
9 Obturator foramen
10 Ischiatic spine
11 Ischiatic tuberosity
12 Ischiatic table
D Acetabulum
E Femur
13 Head
14 Neck
15 Greater trochanters (shadows are not clearly visible but they will extend almost, if not quite, as far proximal as do the femoral heads on a truly lateral projection)
16 Lesser trochanter
F Sacrum
17 Sacroiliac articulation
18 Sacral lamina (dorsal surface is not clearly distinguishable)
19 Vertebral canal
G Coccygeal vertebra
H Lumbar vertebra
Figure 126 Lateral oblique projection of hip joints and pelvis. Beagle dog 7 years old, entire male. (Approximately 110% of original size.)
Figure 127 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 126.
Figure 128 Lateral oblique projection of hip joints and pelvis.
A Ilium
1 Crest
2 Tuber sacrale or dorsal iliac spine
2(a) Cranial dorsal iliac spine
2(b) Caudal dorsal iliac spine
3 Tuber coxae or ventral iliac spine
3(a) Cranial ventral iliac spine
3(b) Caudal ventral iliac spine
B Pubis
4 Iliopubic eminence
5 Pecten
C Ischium
6 Ischiatic tuberosity
7 Pelvic symphysis
8 Obturator foramen
8(a) Obturator foramen recumbent side
8(b) Obturator foramen non-recumbent side
9 Ischiatic spine
D Acetabulum
E Femur
10 Head
11 Neck
12 Greater trochanter
13 Lesser trochanter
F Sacrum
G Coccygeal vertebra
H Lumbar vertebra
Figure 129 Mediolateral projection of femur. Beagle dog 7 years old, entire male. (Approximately 110% of original size.)
Figure 130 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 129.
Figure 131 Mediolateral projection of femur.
A Ilium
B Acetabulum
C Pubis
D Ischium
1 Obturator foramen
E Femur
2 Head
3 Neck
4 Greater trochanter
5 Lesser trochanter
6 Trochanteric fossa
7 Body
7(a) Nutrient foramen (just visible as a radiolucent track through cortex)
8 Trochlear groove
9 Trochlear ridge
10 Lateral condyle
11 Medial condyle
12 Base of intercondyloid fossa
F Tibia
13 Lateral condyle
14 Medial condyle
15 Intercondyloid eminence. More caudal shadow is lateral.
16 Tibial tuberosity
17 Cranial border or ‘tibial crest’ as formerly known
G Fibula
H Patella
I Fabellae of
m. gastrocnemius
I1 Lateral fabella
I2 Medial fabella
J Fabella of m. popliteus
K Os penis
L Scrotal shadow
Figure 132 Craniocaudal projection of femur. Beagle dog 2.5 years old, entire male. (Approximately 120% of original size.)
Figure 133 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 132.
Figure 134 Craniocaudal projection of femur.
A Ilium
B Pubis
C Acetabulum
Acetabular features:
1 Cranial acetabular edge
2 Dorsal acetabular edge
3 Ventral acetabular edge
4 Acetabular notch
5 Acetabular fissure
D Ischium
6 Obturator foramen
7 Ischiatic tuberosity
E Femur
8 Head
9 Neck
10 Greater trochanter
11 Lesser trochanter
12 Trochanteric fossa
13 Body
14 Medial condyle
15 Lateral condyle
16 Intercondyloid fossa
17 Medial trochlear ridge
18 Lateral trochlear ridge
F Tibia
19 Medial condyle
20 Lateral condyle
21 Interconyloid eminence
G Fibula
H Patella
I Fabella of m. gastrocnemius
J Fabella of m. popliteus
Stifle joint with schematic drawings: Figures 135–149
Figure 135 Mediolateral projection of stifle joint. Beagle dog 7 years old, entire male. (Approximately 130% of original size.)
Figure 136 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 135.
Figure 137 Mediolateral projection of stifle joint.
A Femur
1 Trochlear ridges. Medial is more dorsal than lateral.
2 Trochlear groove
3 Medial trochlear ridge
4 Lateral trochlear ridge
5 Base of intercondyloid fossa
6 Lateral condyle (indentation of extensor fossa only just visible 6a)
7 Medial condyle
B Tibia
8 Lateral condyle
9 Medial condyle
10 Intercondyloid eminence or intercondyloid tubercles. More caudal is lateral.
11 Tibial tuberosity
12 Cranial border or ‘tibial crest’ as formerly known
C Fibula
13 Head
D Patella
E Lateral fabella of m. gastrocnemius
F Medial fabella of m. gastrocnemius
G Fabella of m. popliteus. In small breeds of dog this fabella may be non-ossified.
Figure 138 Line drawing of mediolateral projection of stifle joint to demonstrate soft tissue shadows seen in radiograph Figure 135.
1 Skin at cranial aspect of limb
2 Patellar ligament
3 Infrapatellar fat pad. Reduction in size of this grey shadow is normally seen with joint enlargement, most commonly secondary to effusion.
4 Soft tissue opacity from joint capsule, synovial fluid, menisci, ligaments and tendons in this region
5 Fat tissue shadow from adipose tissue within fascial planes in this region. Disturbance of this shadow usually reflects joint enlargement most commonly due to effusion.
Figure 139 Schematic drawing of mediolateral projection of stifle joint to demonstrate extent of joint capsule.
Joint capsule
Synovial space
a Distolateral extension around tendon of the m. extensor digitorum longus where it traverses the extensor groove of the lateral tibial condyle
Note that the stifle joint cavity extends into the synovial joints made by the patella, lateral and medial fabellae and the fibula as well as the femorotibial joint.
Figure 140 Schematic drawing of mediolateral projection of stifle joint. The positions of ligaments and tendons on the axial and lateral aspects are indicated.
1 Lateral femoropatellar ligament
2 Tendon insertion of m. quadriceps femoris into the patella
3 Patellar ligament
4 Tendon of m. extensor digitorum longus
5 Lateral collateral ligament
6 Tendon of m. popliteus plus sesamoid bone
7 Ligament of fibular head
Meniscal and cruciate ligaments not shown but will be found in the femorotibial joint between the tendons of m. extensor digitorum longus and m. popliteus.
Figure 141 Schematic drawing of mediolateral projection of stifle joint. The positions of ligaments and tendons on the axial and medial aspects are indicated.
1 Medial femoropatellar ligament
2 Tendon insertion of m. quadriceps femoris into the patella
3 Patellar ligament
4 Medial collateral ligament
5 Region of menisci
Meniscal and cruciate ligaments not shown but will be found in the region of menisci.
Figure 142 Caudocranial projection of stifle joint. Beagle dog 2.5 years old, entire male. (Approximately 160% of original size.)
Figure 143 Line drawing of photograph representing radiographic positioning for Figure 142.
Figure 144 Caudocranial projection of stifle joint.
A Femur
1 Medial trochlear ridge
2 Lateral trochlear ridge
3 Medial condyle
4 Lateral condyle
5 Intercondyloid fossa
B Tibia
6 Medial condyle
7 Lateral condyle
8 Intercondyloid eminence or medial and lateral intercondyloid tubercles
9 Tibial tuberosity
10 Cranial border or ‘tibial crest’ as formerly known
10(a) Outline of fossa for the extensor muscles, especially m. cranialis tibialis
C Fibula
11 Head
D Patella
E Lateral fabella of m. gastrocnemius
F Medial fabella of m. gastrocnemius
G Fabella of m. popliteus
Figure 145 Line drawing of caudocranial projection of stifle joint to demonstrate soft tissue shadows seen in radiograph Figure 142.
1 Fat tissue shadow from adipose tissue within fascial planes. Disturbances of these shadows usually reflect joint enlargement, most commonly due to joint effusions.
2 Skin limits
Figure 146 Schematic drawing of caudocranial projection of stifle joint. Extent of the joint capsule on the cranial aspect of the joint has been indicated.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
