Morphological, radiographic and computed tomographic evaluation of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the one-humped camel.

The camel digits have a complex structure with tendons, joints and ligaments. The objective of the study was to determine the anatomical features of the metatarsophalangeal joint and its puncture site in dromedary camel using anatomical dissection, radiography, computed tomography (CT) bone and soft tissue window scans and 3D reconstruction render volume of CT. The study used six adult camels of both sexes (three males and three females), aged 9-15 years (Mean ± SD equal 11.80 ± 2.59 years). The camel fetlock possesses two metatarsophalangeal joints, left and right ones. The study described in detail the bony structures, ligaments and joint capsule of the metatarsophalangeal joint. The straight sesamoidean ligament was recorded in the studied one-humped camel joints. The joint capsule exhibited two recesses: dorsal and plantar recess. This is the first study to report the dorsal recess as triangular in outline with one proximal recess and two distal recesses, and the plantar recess as having two proximal recesses and one distal recess. The soft tissues examined around the fetlock were the proper extensor tendon, superficial, deep digital flexor tendon, digital scutum, collateral ligaments and sesamoidean ligaments. The plantar and dorsal pouches were the sites of joint injection. The present findings regarding joint injection indicate the plantar approach through plantar recess to fetlock to be preferable than the dorsal one as we used the proximal sesamoid bones and suspensory ligament as landmarks to inject easily.