Nerve distribution in the metacarpus and front digit of the horse.

The nerve distribution to the digit of the horse was studied with the compound microscope in serial transverse sections of fetal limbs and plotted on life-size outlines of the horse's foot. It was learned that there is much variation in the topography of the branches of the principal nerves. There is no mirror-image nerve distribution on the 2 sides of the foot. The dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve does not extend below the fetlock. The communication between the palmar metacarpal nerves and branches of the dorsal branch of the digital nerves is only a crossing of nerves without exchange of fibers. The palmar metacarpal nerves usually do not innervate structures distal to the pastern joint. The innervation of the deep structures of the equine foot was tabulated.