During a forelimb amputation, which muscle on the lateral aspect of the limb must be transected?

During a forelimb amputation, which muscle on the lateral aspect of the limb must be transected?

• A. Trapezius
• B. Latissimus dorsi
• C. Omotransversarius
• D. Brachiocephalicus

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that freeing the forelimb during amputation requires cutting the muscle that crosses from the neck to the shoulder along the lateral aspect. The omotransversarius runs from the atlas/axis region (the upper neck) to the scapula, lying on the outer side of the shoulder. Because it directly connects the neck area to the scapula, transecting this muscle allows the limb to be detached cleanly without leaving the limb tethered to the trunk. Other muscles mentioned are in adjacent regions or have attachments that aren’t on the lateral shoulder pathway in the same way. Trapezius lies more dorsally on the neck and scapula, latissimus dorsi covers the caudal flank of the trunk, and brachiocephalicus stretches from the head to the humerus but is not the primary lateral shoulder structure crossing to the limb. The omotransversarius is the one that sits on the lateral aspect of the shoulder and must be cut to free the limb.

The key idea is that freeing the forelimb during amputation requires cutting the muscle that crosses from the neck to the shoulder along the lateral aspect. The omotransversarius runs from the atlas/axis region (the upper neck) to the scapula, lying on the outer side of the shoulder. Because it directly connects the neck area to the scapula, transecting this muscle allows the limb to be detached cleanly without leaving the limb tethered to the trunk.

Other muscles mentioned are in adjacent regions or have attachments that aren’t on the lateral shoulder pathway in the same way. Trapezius lies more dorsally on the neck and scapula, latissimus dorsi covers the caudal flank of the trunk, and brachiocephalicus stretches from the head to the humerus but is not the primary lateral shoulder structure crossing to the limb. The omotransversarius is the one that sits on the lateral aspect of the shoulder and must be cut to free the limb.