radial paralysis

radial paralysis

Etymology: L, radius + Gk, paralyein

paralysis of muscles supplied by the radial nerve, mainly the wrist and finger extensors. See dropped wrist.

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radial

1. pertaining to the radius of the forelimb or to the radial aspect of the forelimb as opposed to the ulnar aspect; pertaining to a radius.

2. radiating; spreading outward from a common center.

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radial agenesis

a common congenital deformity in animals, particularly in cats. The defect may be uni- or bilateral, causing a marked medial deviation of the lower forelimb.

Radial agenesis in a kitten. By permission from Ettinger SJ, Feldman E, Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Saunders, 2004

radial dysplasia

a developmental disorder of the radius and ulna in which growth rates differ and deformities of the limb result.

radial hemimelia

absence of the radius.

radial paralysis

caused by loss of function of the radial nerve. See Table 14. Manifested by loss of function of extensor muscles and impaired sensory perception in the thoracic limb especially over the dorsum of the paw. Lesions at or distal to the level of the elbow result in difficulty in extending the carpus and foot so that weight may be carried on the dorsum of the foot. Lesions above that level, usually associated with injury to the brachial plexus, also cause an inability to actively extend the elbow (dropped elbow) and the animal cannot bear weight on the limb.