14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine.

Pictures obtained from Ashdown & Done (2002: 3.2-4.6)

Dorsoscapular Ligament of the Equine (see Fig. 1.)

This structure is a specialization of the thoracolumbar fascia that covers the withers region
(interscapular region). It is made up of three fibro-elastic connective tissue layers on either
side of the body extending distally from the thoracolumbar fascia (which covers the
spinous processes), covering the area between T2 and T5. These three layers are the
superficial, middle and deep layers of the dorsoscapular ligament and make up the left and
right dorsoscapular ligaments which are continuous over T2 and T3 via the thoracolumbar
fascia. (Bezuidenhout et al, VAP: 33-1) The dorsoscapular ligament gradually changes
from being wholly fibrous in nature to become mainly elastic, which gives it spring to help
absorb shock as the front foot hits the ground. (Dyce, 2002: 512)

The superficial layer lies medial to the M. serratus ventralis thoracis and M. rhomboideus
thoracis extending distal to the insertion (and lateral to the muscle) of M. serratus dorsalis
cranialis and inserting on the lateral aspect of the ribs. This layer also joins into the M.
serratus ventralis thoracis and M. rhomboideus thoracis and inserts with the M. serratus
ventralis thoracis onto its insertion on the Facies serrata of the scapula. (Bezuidenhout et
al, VAP: 33-1)

14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine. 1

The middle layer is directly below (medial to) the superficial layer and it passes laterally to
the M. splenius and the M. longissimus thoracis. It then splits to give off a lateral leaf
which is the origin of M. serratus dorsalis cranialis and M. serratus dorsalis caudalis
while the rest of the ligament continues into the groove that is formed between the M.
longissimus thoracis and the M. iliocostalis. (Getty, 1975: 397-398) The lateral leaf lies on
the lateral aspect of M. iliocostalis and thus this muscle is now contained within a V-
shaped covering formed by the lateral leaf laterally and the middle layer medially. The
middle layer then inserts on the proximal part of the ribs. (Bezuidenhout et al, VAP: 33-1)

The deep layer of the dorsoscapular ligament runs on the medial side of the M. splenius
and the M. longissimus thoracis and on the lateral aspect M. spinalis thoracis et cervicis
and Mm. multifidi. This layer forms the origin of the M. semispinalis capitis and then it
inserts on the transverse processes of the spine. (Bezuidenhout et al, VAP: 33-1)

4. Funiculus nuchae
5. Bursa subligamentosa supraspinalis
6. Thoracolumbar fascia
7. Lig. dorsoscapulare superficial layer
8. Lig. dorsoscapulare middle layer
9. Lig. dorsoscapulare deep layer
10. M. rhomboideus thoracis
11. M. serratus ventralis thoracis
12. M. subscapularis
13. M. splenius
14. M. longissimus
15. M. iliocostalis
16. M. serratus dorsalis cranialis
17. M. spinalis thoracis et cervicis
18. Mm. multifidi

Fig. 1. Cross section through a thoracic vertebra indicating the position of the
dorsoscapular ligament. (Bezuidenhout et al, VAP: 33-5)

14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine. 2

 The dorsoscapular ligament is an important surgical landmark in the case of the condition
known as fistulous withers. This condition occurs when the Bursa subligamentosa
supraspinalis (which is discussed later with the nuchal ligament) is injured or infected and
bursts, resulting in the release of pus into the tissues surrounding it. (Bezuidenhout et al,
VAP: 33-2) This pus cannot get deeper than the dorsoscapular ligament unless it too is
damaged thus the pus will spread cranially and caudally along the ligament and it may also
become trapped deep to the scapula. (Pasquini, 1995: 129) Thus for a surgeon to drain the
area without damaging the ligament, which would cause further spread of the infection,
they must have a very good idea of the anatomy of this region. (Bezuidenhout et al, VAP:
33-2)

Dorsoscapular
Ligament

Superficial layer Middle layer Deep layer

(lies medial to the M. rhomboideus (lies medial to superficial layer and (medial to M. splenius & M.
thoracis and M. serratus ventralis lateral to the M. longissimus longissimus; lateral to M. spinalis
thoracis) thoracis) thoracis et cervicis & Mm. multifidi)

Lateral leaf Middle leaf

(forms origin for the M. serratus (enters groove between M.
dorsalis cranialis and caudalis) longissimus and M. iliocostalis)

14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine. 3

Fig. 2. Summary of the dorsoscapular ligament.

14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine. 4

Nuchal Ligament of the Equine (see Fig. 4.)
The nuchal ligament is a large fibro-elastic structure extending along the dorsal midline of
the horse between the head and the withers. It lies dorsal to the vertebrae of the neck
originating from the external occipital protuberance of the occipital bone and inserting on
the tips of the spinous processes of the cranial thoracic vertebrae. The function of the
Ligamentum nuchae is to provide tension between the head and the neck which relieves the
neck extensor muscles of a large amount of stress. (Getty, 1975: 397-398) It also acts as an
area of attachment for some neck muscles including the M. rhomboideus and the M.
splenius.

The ligament is made up of two parts, namely the funicular part (funiculus nuchae) and the
lamellar part (lamina nuchae) and each of these parts is paired on either side of the median
line. The funicular part is the more dorsal cord-like structure extending between the head
and the highest spinous processes of the withers inserting on T3 while the lamellar part
consists of two flattened fenestrated sheets (one for each side of the vertebrae) connected
medially by a layer of loose connective tissue, which lie in the gap left between the
funicular part and the cervical spinous processes. (Getty, 1975: 397-398) The sheets are
made up of many cranially and ventrally angled digitations which originate on the spinous
processes of the cervical vertebrae from C2-C7 and then fuse dorsally with the funicular
part of the nuchal ligament and also with the spinous processes of T1-T4. (Bezuidenhout
et al, VAP: 33-15) The origin of the funicular part is laterally flattened but then becomes
rounded, and then gradually dorso-ventrally flattened until at the withers it forms a broad
band which may reach as far down the side of the body as the cartilage of the scapula.
(Getty, 1975: 397-398) After the funicular part inserts on T3 the two halves will fuse
together and the continuation is called the Ligamentum supraspinale. (Bezuidenhout et al,
VAP: 33-15)

The nuchal ligament is associated with three bursae and these are the Bursa nuchalis
cranialis, B. nuchalis caudalis and the B. subligamentosa supraspinalis (which was briefly
mentioned with the dorsoscapular ligament). The first two bursae are acquired bursae,
which means that they are developed due to friction between the nuchal ligament and the
spinous processes that the ligament makes contact with. Thus these bursae may not be
found in all horses, but the cranial nuchal bursa is more commonly found than the caudal

14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine. 5

 bursa. The third bursa (B. subligamentosa supraspinales) is a constant bursa which means
it will be found in all horses. (Bezuidenhout et al, VAP: 33-16)

The cranial nuchal bursa lies between the funicular part of the nuchal ligament and the
dorsal tubercle of the atlas thus it is also known as the atlantal bursa. The caudal nuchal
bursa lies between the funicular part and the spinous process of the axis. The supraspinous
bursa lies between the funicular part and the spinous process of T3 and thus it is situated
just dorsal to the dorsoscapular ligament at its origin (Getty, 1975: 397-398)

These bursae are clinically important as they may be damaged or infected and as was
discussed with the dorsoscapular ligament they may burst and spread infection to the
surrounding tissues. If the cranial nuchal bursa becomes infected this infection can spread
to the funicular part of the nuchal ligament and necrosis can occur. This condition is
referred to as poll evil as this bursa lies in the region known as the poll. (Pasquini, 1995:
129) As discussed earlier a condition called fistulous withers occurs when the B.
subligamentosa supraspinales becomes infected and then bursts resulting in the release of
pus into the surrounding tissues. Due to the danger associated with damaging the
dorsoscapular ligament while draining this bursa it is preferable to use blunt dissection to
separate the M. rhomboideus cervicis from the dorsoscapular ligament to allow access to
the bursa. To get an idea of where to look for the bursa a good surgical landmark is the
Tuber spina scapula which lies on a vertical line below it. (Bezuidenhout et al, VAP: 33-
16)
Table 1. Summary of the bursae associated with the nuchal ligament.
B. subligamentosa
  B. nuchalis cranialis B. nuchalis caudalis supraspinalis
Between funiculus and Spine of atlas Spine of axis Spine of T3
Acquired = most Acquired = most Genetic = all horses
Presence horses horses
Associated condition Poll evil none Fistulous withers

Nuchal Ligament

Funicular Part Lamellar Part

(cord-like) (laminar, fenestrated)
Fig. 3. Summary of the nuchal ligament.

14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine. 6

Fig. 4. Diagram of the nuchal ligament and associated bursae. (Bezuidenhout et al,
VAP: 33-17)

References
Ashdown, R. R. & Done, S. H. 2002. Color Atlas of Veterinary Anatomy. Volume 2.
Elsevier: London: 3.2-4.6.
Dyce, K. M. 2002. Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy. (3rd edition) Elsevier: London: 512-
513.
Getty, R. 1975. Sisson and Grossma’s The Anatomy of Domestic Animals. Volume 1. (5th
edition) W.B. Saunders Company: London: 350-399.
Pasquini, C et al. 1995. Anatomy of Domestic Animals. (7th edition) Sudz publishing:
Toronto: 129.
Popesko, P. 1977. Atlas of Topographical Anatomy of The Domestic Animals. Volume 1.
(2nd Edition). W.B. Saunders Company: London: 165-167.
Bezuidenhout, A.J. et al. Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 300 – A study and dissection
guide. Published by authors: 33.1-33.18

14. Dorsoscapular and Nuchal Ligaments of the Equine. 7