skeletal system of the horse
DESCRIPTION
Skeletal System of the Horse. Equine Science. The Horse’s Skeletal System. Approximately 210 bones Gives shape to the horse Provides protection for the internal organs Combines with the muscular system to create movement Stores needed minerals Site of blood cell manufacturing - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
SKELETAL SYSTEM OF THE HORSE
Equine Science
The Horse’s Skeletal System
Approximately 210 bones Gives shape to the horse Provides protection for the internal
organs Combines with the muscular system to
create movement Stores needed minerals Site of blood cell manufacturing Stores fat (adults)
The Horse’s Skeletal System
Bones classified as either: Long: support body weight & aid movement
limbs Short: aid in shock absorption
Knee & hock Flat: enclose vital organs
Ribs Scapula Some skull bones
Irregular: unpaired bones Vertebrae Some skull bones
The Horse’s Skeletal System
Two Parts Axial Skeleton--The trunk
Skull Vertebral Column Ribs Breastbone or Sternum Pelvis Tail
Appendicular Skeleton—The limbs Forelegs or Thoracic limbs Hind legs or Pelvic limbs
Axial Skeleton Vertebral Column
Average of 54 bones Divided into 5 parts
Cervical (neck)—7 vertebrae Thoracic (back)—18 vertebrae Lumbar (loin)—6 vertebrae (sometimes 5) Sacral (croup)—5 vertebrae (fused together) Coccygeal (tail)—15-21 vertebrae
Bound together with ligaments and cartilage
Axial Skeleton Hip Bones
Connected to the vertebral column at the sacrum
Sternum Canoe-shaped Connects to the ribs by cartilage Floor of chest cavity
Ribs 18 pairs Attached to the thoracic vertebrae
Axial Skeleton Skull
Attached to 1st vertebrae of the spine Foramen magnum—large opening through
which the spinal cord passes Two Parts
Cranium—surrounds the brain Face—encloses entrances to digestive and
respiratory systems Together form eye and nasal cavities
Appendicular Skeleton Forelimbs
No skeletal attachment to axial skeleton Connection is by muscles Support 60% of horse’s weight Many bones similar to human arms
Hind legs Attached to axial skeleton at the hip joints Move horse forward Similar to human legs
Joints Union of two or more bones or cartilages Three types
Immovable Permit no movement Connective tissue or fused bone Example: cranium bones
Slightly movable Pad of cartilage allows slight movement Example: vertebrae
Freely movable Joint cavity exists between two surfaces Bones held by ligaments
Slight degree of elasticity & limited blood supply Heal slowly and often imperfectly
Example: legs