Hind limb / pelvic limb

Question 1

What is the role of the hind limb in locomotion?

Answer 1

• power and propulsion
• to jump over obstacles
• to drive the body forward
• to kick as a form of defence

Question 2

What it the role of the hind limb NOT in locomotion?

Answer 2

• to allow for the expression of natural behaviours such as scratching and cocking the leg

Question 3

Starting proximally name all of the key bones in the pelvic limb

Answer 3

1. pelvis
2. femur
3. tibia
4. fibula
5. patella
6. tarsal bones
7. metatarsal bones
8. phalanges

Question 4

Starting proximally name all of the key joints in the pelvic limb

Answer 4

• sacrolliac joint - between the pelvis and spine
• hip (coxofemoral)
• knee (stifle)
• tarsus
• metatarsophalangeal
• proximal interphalangeal
• distal interphalangeal

Question 5

Describe the structure of the pelvis

Answer 5

• pelvis has two wings called ileum
• two pubis bones joined at pubis symphysis
• acetabulum unites ileum, pubis and ischium

Question 6

What part of the pelvis helps to provide large surface area for muscle attachment?

Answer 6

• ileum wings

Question 7

What are the key features of the femur bone?

Answer 7

• has a greater trochanter and a lesser trochanter
• horses have a third trochanter as their muscles are so big

Question 8

What is different about the tibia and fibula in horses?

Answer 8

• Fibula and tibia fuse together to reduce distal limb mass

Question 9

How many rows of tarsal bones are there?

Answer 9

• 3

Question 10

What can be felt at the back of the hock in the tarsus?

Answer 10

• the calcaneus/ calcaneal process

Question 11

What is the reciprocal apparatus in the pelvic limb of the horse?

Answer 11

• there are two chords called the peroneus tertius and the superficial digital flexor which link the stifle and the hock together (this means that when the Stifle flexes the hock flexes too)

Question 12

What does the reciprocal apparatus function to do?

Answer 12

• ensure limb clear of ground during swing
• support body weight as part of the passive stay apparatus

Question 13

What is the lumbosacral plexus?

Answer 13

• spinal nerves at hindlimb combine and reorganise
• named nerves ( femoral, obturator, gluteal, sciatic)
• supply all pelvic limb structures