Anatomy of the femorotibial joint of stifle of buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

The present study aims at identifying the anatomical aspects of the femorotibial joint of stifle which are specific to buffaloes and vary with those of ox. The study was conducted at Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati. Fifteen apparently healthy 1 to 1½ year old buffalo calves irrespective of breed, sex and nutritional status were utilized for gross anatomical studies of stifle articulation of buffalo calves after embalming with 10% formalin. The gross morphology of joints and relations were studied by careful dissection. The dissection was also carried out in some unpreserved fresh specimens to study the movements and also certain aspects of the joints. In femorotibial joint of buffalo an additional ligament was found. That ligament had tibial attachment on the central part of area intercondylaris close to tuberculum intercondylare mediale of eminentia intercondylaris blended with attachment of cranial cruciate ligament and extended proximally and caudally to a depression in the middle of the medial wall of intercondylar fossa. This ligament was thin but strong gives additional stability to the articulation during extreme flexion. It was loose in normal position and stretched in extreme flexed condition. Such ligament was not reported earlier in white cattle or in buffalo.