Hind limb/ Pelvic Limb

Question 1

What is the role of the hind limb in locomotion?

Answer 1

• To drive the body forwards
• To jump over obstacles
• To kick as a form of defense

Question 2

What is the role of the hind limb, not in locomotion?

Answer 2

To allow the demonstration of natural behaviors such as scratching/ cocking of the leg

Question 3

Starting proximally, name all of the key bones in the pelvic limb (8)

Answer 3

1) Pelvis
2) Femur
3) Tibia
4) Fibula
5) Patella
6) Tarsal bone
7) Metatarsal bones
8) Phalanges

Question 4

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

Answer 4

• Sacroiliac joint (between pelvis & 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 pubic 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

Question 8

What is different about the tibia and fibula in horses?

Answer 8

Tibia and fibula fuse together in horses 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 calcaneous/ calcaneal process

Question 11

What is the reciprocal apparatus in the pelvic limb of a 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.