LECTURE TWO: THE EQUINE SKELETAL SYSTEM

Equine skeletal system

is a rigid framework that supports the horse’s body, protects vital organs, allows for movement and serves as a storage site for minerals

The equine skeleton consists of how many bones?

206

Functions of the skeletal system

Support, movement, protection, mineral storage, hematopoiesis, storing triglycerides, providing stem cells

Long Bones

supporting structures and act as levers for movement throughout the body. They are strong and wide. EX: Femur tibia fibula humerus radius ulna cannon bone and phalanges they are all limbs

Flat bones

Provide a lot of surface area for muscle attachment. EX: Skull sternum scapulae ribs

Short bones

are like bricks and act as shock absorbing structures EX: Carpus of the knee and tarsals of the hock

Irregular bones

have a special function EX: Vertebrae and some portions of the skull

Wolff’s law

Was created by the German anatomist and surgeron Julius Wolff in the 19th century it is part of bone theory that explains how bones typically respond to stress. it makes the adaptive changes that bones can make internally to become stronger and stronger in order to resist strain.

The Axial Skeleton

Forms the central axis of the body

The appendicular skeleton

Consists of the limbs

Skull

houses & protects the brain, supports the eyes ears and teeth

spine

divided into 5 regions, cervival vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacral coccygeal vertebrae