Desmitis is inflammation of the ____ check ligament

• A. DDF
• B. SDF
• C. Extensor
• D. Flexor

Answer: (B)

Desmitis means inflammation of a ligament. In the horse, the check ligaments are the fibrous bands that tie the flexor tendons to the palmar aspect of the limb, preventing the tendons from moving too far as the horse bears weight. The ligament most commonly referred to in this context is the one associated with the superficial digital flexor tendon, because those check ligaments specifically restrain the SDFT’s movement at the fetlock and pastern regions. So inflammation of that particular ligament—the superficial digital flexor check ligament—is the classic desmitis of the check ligaments. The extensor region isn’t described this way, and while the deep flexor tendon has its own supportive structures, the checklist-style term “check ligament” most often points to the superficial digital flexor one.