Page 92 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

76 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Scapula Pelvis

Patella

Humerus Femur

Fibula
Tibia
Ulna
Radius

Carpus
Metacarpus Tarsus
Metatarsus
Phalanges

FIGURE 5.4 Appendicular skeleton.

Cranium vertebrae Thoracic Sacral
Cervical
Lumbar
vertebrae
vertebrae vertebrae
Mandible vertebrae
Coccygeal
Scapula
Pelvis
Femur
Humerus
Patella
Tibia/Fibula
Ulna/Radius fused
fused
Calcaneus
Accessory carpal
Carpus Tarsus
Splint bones
Metatarsus
Metacarpus
Proximal sesamoid
Proximal phalanx Proximal sesamoid
Middle phalanx
Distal phalanx
FIGURE 5.5 Horse skeleton. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Horse_bones_ugglan.jpg. Public Domain.

limbs and the axial skeleton are the bones that make up from proximal to distal and include the scapula,
the trunk and head of the body. Bones are attached to humerus, radius/ulna (fused), carpus (knee), meta-
each other by ligaments. carpus (cannon bone), proximal (pastern), middle (fet-
Dogs, cats, ferrets, and rodents all have similar appen- lock), and distal (coffin bone) phalanx.
dicular skeletons. The bones of the front legs starting On either side of the metacarpus are the second and
from proximal to distal include the scapula, humerus, fourth metacarpal bones fused to the third metacarpal
radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, and digits or pha- bone; these are called splint bones. On the dorsal side of
langes (Figure 5.4). The bones of the back legs from the leg behind the carpus is the accessory carpus and on
proximal to distal include the pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, the distal end of the metacarpus is the proximal sesa-
fibula, tarsus, metatarsus, and digits or phalanges. moid bone. The rear limb bones going from proximal to
Livestock limbs have evolved a bit differently in that distal include the pelvis, femur, tibia/fibula (fused),
the bones have elongated, and some have fused together tarsus, metatarsus (cannon bone), and the same list of
(Figure 5.5). In horses, the front limb bones go in order phalanges as for the front leg. On the dorsal side just