no THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



Dislocation of the Temporo-Maxillary "Joint. — Dislocation of this joint 

 is common in dogs. This is due to the fact that the articular 

 eminence is absent in this animal, and consequently the condyle may 

 be somewhat easily displaced in the forward direction from the 

 glenoid cavity. Such a displacement in the horse however, otherwise 

 than as sequel to a fracture of the bones themselves, is impossible, 

 on account of the well-developed eminence which is present. Lateral 

 displacement is prevented by the conformation of the articular surfaces, 

 which restricts the lateral movements of the joint, and also by the 

 capsular and external lateral ligaments, whilst displacement of the condyle 

 in the posterior direction is prevented by the post-glenoid process. 



Injiammation oj the Temporo-Maxillary Joint. — Traumatic arthritis 

 of this joint is somewhat common ; this is due to the lack of 

 protection to the joint, on its external lateral aspect. The outer 

 extremity of the condyle is subcutaneous, and the only protection 

 afforded the joint is by the external lateral and capsular ligaments, 

 and, as already stated, the former is quite a thin band. 



Wounds and other injuries in the neighbourhood of the joint 

 must therefore be treated with the utmost care, and their closure 

 brought about as quickly as possible, in order to avoid an extension 

 into the joint. 



Inflammation of this joint frequently occurs in animals remaining 

 for a considerable length of time in the decumbent position, in which 

 cases the outer extremity of the condyle is one of the prominent points 

 of the body which come into contact with the ground. 



As would naturally be expected, the animal refrains from opening 

 its mouth, since this entails the movement of the condyle and the 

 forward movement of the cartilage — movements which are necessarily 

 accompanied by great pain. The result is that, unless promptly treated, 

 the animal rapidly falls away in condition. The local treatment is as 

 in traumatic arthritis of other joints, but it is logically deduced that 

 only fluid nourishment must be given, and it is necessary to give 



