Skeletal Anatomy Study Guide

caudal

towards the rear / rear portion of the head

distal

the part of the limb or tail that is furthest from the body

plantar

bottom of the back feet

dorsal

towards the upper half of the body

medial

referring to the middle of the animal

rostral

portion of the head closest to the muzzle

proximal

the part of the limb or tail closest to the body

cranial

towards the head

lateral

referring to the side of an animal

ventral

towards the lower half of the body

palmar

bottom of the front feet

3 main bones of the front leg

humerus, radius, and ulna

3 main bones of the back leg

femur, fibula, tibia

how many bones make up a cat skeleton?

230 to 250 bones

how many bones make up a dog skeleton?

319 to 321

what are the five sections that make up the spine?

cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, and caudal vertebrae

on average how many bones make up a cat’s tail?

20 bones

what bones make up the wrist joints of an animal?

carpal and metacarpal bones

what bones make up the ankle joints of an animal?

tarsal and metatarsal bones

what bones make up the “palm” of an animal's front paw?

metacarpal bones

what are the bones that are located between the ankle bones and digits?

metatarsal bones

how many pairs of ribs do dogs and cats have?

12 pairs

what is the technical name for the kneecap?

patella

what kind of bone is the kneecap?

sesamoid bone

how many bones are in the inner ear canal?

3 bones

what are the names of the bones in the inner ear canal?

malleus, incus, and stapes

how many bones make up each digit?

5 bones

what is the technical name for an animal’s digit?

phalanges

what is the name of the socket that the femoral head fits into?

the acetabulum