Gross anatomical observations on the distal flexor apparatus of the equine foot

<jats:p>&lt;b&gt;Background: &lt;/b&gt;Conventional anatomical preparations emphasise named structures and their principal attachments, but removal of intervening connective tissues may obscure their retained macroscopic relationships. &lt;b&gt;Objectives: &lt;/b&gt;To document the gross relationships among the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, inter-branch connective tissue, digital cushion and collateral cartilages in a preserved-tissue dissection, and to record visible movement during separate manual traction of each flexor tendon. &lt;b&gt;Study design: &lt;/b&gt;Descriptive gross anatomical study of one equine forelimb. &lt;b&gt;Methods: &lt;/b&gt;A refrigerated, unfixed and never-frozen left forelimb was obtained post-mortem from a male Warmblood horse euthanased for reasons unrelated to the study and was dissected approximately one week after death. Intervening connective tissues were retained during sequential dissection and transverse and longitudinal sectioning. The preparation was photographed, and manual traction was applied separately to the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. No quantitative mechanical measurements were obtained. &lt;b&gt;Results: &lt;/b&gt;A macroscopically visible connective tissue sheet spanning the two branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon could be followed along the palmar digit and into fibroelastic tissues of the caudal hoof. No clear gross separation plane was identified at several examined interfaces with tissues associated with the digital cushion and deep digital flexor tendon. Separate traction of the two tendons produced different visible movement patterns. &lt;b&gt;Main limitations: &lt;/b&gt;The study used one specimen, did not include histology, and did not measure force, strain, joint mechanics or tissue properties. &lt;b&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/b&gt;The dissection documents retained macroscopic connective tissue relationships within the distal flexor apparatus and identifies specific interfaces for replicated anatomical, histological and biomechanical investigation.</jats:p>