Equine Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
7 cards from real ECC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Equine Anatomy & Physiology flashcards as text
What term describes the joint between the sacrum and the ilium in the horse, and what type of joint is it?
Answer: Sacroiliac joint; synovial and syndesmotic composite
The sacroiliac joint is a composite joint with a small synovial component cranioventrally and a large syndesmotic (fibrous) component, allowing minimal but critical motion.
The digital flexor tendon sheath in the equine digit extends from approximately which anatomical landmarks?
Answer: Mid-cannon to the distal pastern
The digital flexor tendon sheath extends from approximately the mid-metacarpal/metatarsal region to the distal pastern, encasing the flexor tendons through the fetlock.
Which nerve plexus supplies the forelimb of the horse, and which nerve is most commonly injured in 'sweeney' (shoulder atrophy)?
Answer: Brachial plexus; suprascapular nerve
The brachial plexus supplies the forelimb, and the suprascapular nerve is typically damaged in 'sweeney,' causing atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.
In the equine vertebral column, what is the function of the articular facets (zygapophyseal joints) at the thoracolumbar junction?
Answer: Guide and limit spinal motion while transmitting compressive loads
Zygapophyseal (facet) joints guide the direction of permitted movement and limit excessive motion while sharing compressive and shear loads with the intervertebral disc.
The 'stay apparatus' of the equine hindlimb relies on which structure locking the stifle to maintain limb extension with minimal muscle effort?
Answer: Patellar tendon locking over the medial trochlear ridge of the femur
The medial patellar ligament hooks over the medial trochlear ridge of the femur, locking the stifle in extension and engaging the hindlimb stay apparatus.
Which joint in the equine tarsus (hock) provides the majority of flexion and extension motion?
Answer: Tarsocrural (tibiotarsal) joint
The tarsocrural joint accounts for approximately 90% of hock flexion and extension, while the distal tarsal joints are largely immobile.
What is the normal formula for the equine dental arcade, and how many teeth does an adult male horse typically have?
Answer: I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/3, M 3/3 = 40 teeth
Adult male horses typically have 40 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 12 premolars, and 12 molars; mares often lack canines, giving 36 teeth.