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
The equine thorax contains how many pairs of ribs, and how many are considered 'true ribs' (connected directly to the sternum)?
Answer: 17 pairs total; 8 true ribs
Horses have 18 pairs of ribs; the first 8 pairs are 'true ribs' with direct costal cartilage attachment to the sternum, while ribs 9–18 are 'false ribs.'
Which structure forms the floor of the spinal canal at the lumbosacral junction and is a key landmark in equine epidural anesthesia?
Answer: Sacrococcygeal membrane
The sacrococcygeal membrane (between S5 and Co1) is the standard injection site for caudal epidural anesthesia in horses because it is easily palpated and penetrated.
The deep digital flexor tendon wraps around the navicular bone and inserts on which structure?
Answer: Distal phalanx (P3 / coffin bone)
The deep digital flexor tendon inserts on the flexor surface (solar surface) of the distal phalanx (P3), after being redirected around the navicular bone.
What is the role of the 'reciprocal apparatus' in the equine hindlimb?
Answer: It links stifle and hock so they flex and extend simultaneously
The reciprocal apparatus (peroneus tertius cranially and superficial digital flexor tendon caudally) mechanically links the stifle and hock so they must flex and extend together.
Which synovial bursa lies between the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone, and is clinically important in palmar foot pain?
Answer: Navicular bursa (podotrochlear bursa)
The navicular (podotrochlear) bursa cushions the deep digital flexor tendon as it slides over the navicular bone and is a primary site of inflammation in navicular syndrome.
What is the primary blood supply to the equine spinal cord at the thoracolumbar region?
Answer: Ventral spinal artery supplemented by segmental radicular arteries
The equine spinal cord is supplied primarily by the ventral spinal artery, reinforced at intervals by segmental radicular arteries branching from the aorta and its derivatives.
Which anatomical feature of the horse's scapula articulates with the thorax via a 'synsarcosis' (muscular sling) rather than a bony joint?
Answer: No bony joint exists; the scapula is suspended entirely by muscles and fascia
Unlike most quadrupeds, the horse lacks a clavicle and bony scapulothoracic joint; the forelimb is attached to the thorax entirely by muscles (serratus ventralis, pectoral group) forming a muscular sling.