Equine Skeletal System Flashcards
What forms the Axial Skeleton?
Spine (vertebral column)
Skull
Ribs & Sternum
Spine
How many Cervical Vertebrae are there,
7, including C1, known as Atlas, and C2, known as Axis
Spine
How many Thoracic Vertebrae are there?
18
Spine
How many Lumbar Vertebrae are there?
6
Spine
How many Sacral Vertebrae are there?
3 (fused)
Spine
How many Coxygeal Vertebrae are there?
Approx. 20
Spine
What is the purpose of the Vertebral Body, and what sort of joint connects the Vertebral Bodies together?
Provide support
Fibrocartilagenous Joints
Spine
What is the Vertebral/Neural Arch, and what does the sum of Vertebral Arches create?
Arch over theVertebral Body
Creates the Spinal Canal, housing the spinal cord
Spine
Through what do the spinal nerves leave the spinal canal through?
Intervertebral Formina
Spine
What are Intervertebral Discs, and what is there purpose?
Fibrous Cartilage between vertebrae
Shock absorbers
Spine
What is the purpose of Vertebral Processes?
Influence how much movement there is in parts of the spine
Attachments for ligaments and muscles
Spine
Which way do Transverse Processes project, and in which vertebrae are they primarily found?
Project to the side
Lumbar Vertebrae
Spine
Which way do Dorsal Spinal Processes project, and in which vertebrae are they largest?
Project Dorsally (upwards)
Thoracic Vertebrae - forming withers
Spine
What joints Articular Processes form, and what is their purpose?
Synovial Joints
Control range of motion vertebrae are capable of
Spine
What are the 3main functions of the spine?
House and protect spinal cord
Allow movement
Allow transmission of strong, propulsive forces from the hind limbs
Spine
In which directions does the Cervical Spine have movement?
Extensive mobility in all directions
Spine
In which directions does the Thoracic Spine have mobility?
Can flex and extend in a dorsoventral and lateral direction
Spine
In which direction does the Lumbar Spine have mobility?
Dorsoventral flexion, but no lateral mobility
Spine
In which direction does the Sacrum have mobility?
None, it is a fused, direct link between pelvis and spine
Skull
How many bones are there in the skull, and what types of bone are they mainly?
34
Flat bones
Skull
What joints connect the bones of the skull?
Skull Sutures
Skull
What are the two main parts of the skull?
Cranial and Facial skull
Skull
What cavity is contained in the Cranial Skull?
Cranial Cavity - houses the brain
Skull
What cavities are contained in the Facial skull?
Oral cavity (mouth) Nasal cavity (nostrils) Orbital cavity (eyes)
Skull
What bones are contained in the Nasal cavity, and to what sinuses is the Nasal cavity connected?
Turbinate Bones
Paranasal Sinuses
Skull
What are the two jaw bones called?
Maxillary Bone (upper jaw) Mandibular Bone (moveable lower jaw)
Skull
What is the function of the skull?
Houses brain and other sensory organs
Ribs
How many pairs of ribs are there?
18
Ribs
Dorsally, what do all ribs form a joint with?
The small transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae
Ribs
How many pairs of Sternal/True ribs are there?
8
Ribs
Where do True ribs attach to, and with what sort of joint?
Sternum
Fibrocartilagenous Joint
Ribs
How many pairs of Asternal/Floating/False ribs are there?
10
Ribs
What is the difference between false and true ribs?
False ribs have no direct connection to the sternum, and have a larger range of motion than true ribs
Sternum
What shape is the sternum and where is it situated?
Elongated segmented shape
Situated ventral,y in region of girth
What do the ribs, sternum and thoracic vertebrae form together?
Rib cage
Rib Cage
What does the rib cage surround and what’s it’s purpose?
Thoracic cavity and first part of the abdominal cavity
Protects organs within
Rib Cage
What is the movement of ribs responsible for?
Expansion and contraction of rib cage - basis of breathing (inspiration and expiration)
What makes up the Appendicular Skeleton?
Limbs and pelvis
Proximal Forelimb
What makes up the proximal forelimb and how is it attached to the Axial Skeleton?
Scapula down to and including the Carpus?
Not directly attached to Axial Skeleton - attached by muscle and ligament so has a large RoM
Proximal Forelimb
What is the shape of the Scapula?
Large flat bone, triangular with a broad section of cartilage on the upper edge acting as a shock absorber
Proximal Forelimb
What is the purpose of the Spine of Scapula?
Attachment for muscles which flex and extend the shoulder
Proximal Forelimb
What is the Spine of Scapula?
Large bony process on the outer surface of the scapula