Horse Anatomy and Digestive System

These flashcards cover key terminology related to horse anatomy and their digestive system, helping students prepare for their exam.

Maxilla

The upper jawbone in horses that holds the upper teeth.

Zygomatic arch

The bony arch on the side of the skull that forms the cheekbone.

Incisors

Teeth used for cutting food; horses typically have 12 incisors.

Canine

Teeth that can be present in male horses, also known as tusks or bridle teeth.

Wolf teeth

Small teeth that are occasionally found in horses, often extracted.

Temporary teeth

Also known as milk teeth, these are the first set of teeth that foals develop.

Permanent teeth

The second set of teeth that replace temporary teeth in horses.

Galvayne’s Groove

A groove on a horse's incisor that indicates age; develops and recedes over time.

Floating (teeth)

The process of rasping off sharp edges of a horse's teeth to prevent uneven wear.

Digestion

The process by which food is broken down in the horse’s body to be absorbed.

Cecum

A part of the large intestine in horses where fermentation of food occurs.

Enamel

The hard outer surface of teeth that protects against wear.

Pulp cavity

The innermost part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.

Enamel ring

A ring of enamel formed on a tooth that can be observed to estimate age.

Microbial flora

Bacteria and other microorganisms in the horse's digestive tract that assist in breakdown of food.

Small intestine

A part of the digestive system where most absorption of nutrients occurs.

Large intestine

The part of the digestive tract that absorbs water and processes waste.