Horse Anatomy: The Skeleton Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of red blood cells?

Transporting oxygen and removing carbon dioxide (correct)

Regulating body temperature

Transporting nutrients to tissues

Defense against infections

Which blood vessel carries blood from the heart to the body?

Iliac vein

Renal artery

Aorta (correct)

Pulmonary artery

What is the average pulse rate of a horse at rest?

60-90 beats per minute

15-20 beats per minute

28-45 beats per minute (correct)

50-70 beats per minute

What role does plasma play in blood?

Suspends blood cells and contains clotting agents Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the horse's heart carries oxygenated blood to the body?

Left ventricle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of blood?

Stimulates bone growth Signup and view all the answers

Which lymphatic component is responsible for filtering waste products?

Lymph nodes Signup and view all the answers

At what age does a horse's heart typically stop growing?

4 years Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of the skeleton in horses?

To support the body Signup and view all the answers

How many bones are generally found in a horse's axial skeleton?

Approximately 205 Signup and view all the answers

What type of bones primarily act as shock absorbers in horses?

Short bones Signup and view all the answers

Which minerals are stored in horse bones?

Calcium and Magnesium Signup and view all the answers

What are the four cavities of the horse skull?

Cranial, Nasal, Oral, and Orbital Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about bone remodeling is accurate?

Bone continually remodels itself based on stress and diet. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bone provides flexion in horses?

Irregular bones Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the skeleton contains the most bones in a horse?

Appendicular Skeleton Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the horse's nervous system?

To serve as the control mechanism of the body Signup and view all the answers

What structure protects the horse's brain?

The skull and meninges Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the horse’s brain is responsible for balance?

Cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the nervous system comprises sensory and motor neurons?

Nerve fibres Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the horse’s digestive system compared to humans?

Horses' stomach can hold only 12 litres Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain provides the information about internal and external environments?

Thalamus Signup and view all the answers

What happens to food once it reaches the caecum in a horse?

It is fermented Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate weight of a horse's brain relative to its body weight?

1% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the middle ear?

To transmit sound waves and contain the ear drum Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of skin is visible under the hair of a horse?

Epidermis Signup and view all the answers

What physiological feature helps horses enhance their sense of smell?

Large nasal cavities Signup and view all the answers

What role does taste play in a horse's eating behavior?

It requires the horse to smell food before tasting Signup and view all the answers

How are horses' skin receptor cells described?

Highly sensitive with many nerve endings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?

Regulates the release of hormones Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of the endocrine system?

Regulates body temperature Signup and view all the answers

What role do adrenal glands play in the body?

Secrete cortisol and adrenaline Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the peripheral nervous system carries information from the body to the central nervous system?

Sensory nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a function of the endocrine system's hormones?

Facilitating muscle contraction Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels?

Insulin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Governs flight or fight reactions Signup and view all the answers

Which gland is responsible for producing growth hormones?

Pituitary gland Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Skeleton

The horse's skeleton provides support, protects vital organs, gives muscles somewhere to attach, and stores minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
Bones are constantly remodeling themselves based on stress, diet, and blood supply.
Bones can be classified as dense or spongy, and can be long, short, flat, or irregular.
The surface of the bone is covered with a tough membrane (periosteum) and cartilage is between bones.
A horse has approximately 205 bones that are divided into the axial and appendicular skeletons.

Axial Skeleton

The skull consists of 34 bones and four cavities: cranial cavity, orbital cavity, oral cavity, and nasal cavity.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide, white blood cells defend against pathogens.
Plasma, the liquid element of blood, contains water, protein, glucose, lipids, salts, enzymes, hormones, and antigens.
The heart, approximately 3.6-4kg, has four chambers: left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle.
Blood enters the left atrium, then the left ventricle, then travels through the aorta to the body.
A horse's heart keeps growing until they are around 4 years old.
Arteries carry blood from the heart, veins carry blood to the heart.

Cardiovascular System

The heart rate of a horse at rest is 28-45 beats per minute.
Heart rate increases during exercise, excitement, nervousness, dehydration, fever, infection, or shock.

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system supports the immune system and is composed of lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
The lymphatic system is a waste removal system that also recovers, filters, and recycles tissue fluid.

Digestive System

Digestion starts with the teeth, horses have 36 permanent teeth.
Horses tear grass with their incisors, it is then pushed between the molars where it is broken down.
Food is then mixed with saliva and swallowed, passing the larynx to the esophagus, and then to the stomach.
The stomach can only hold 12 liters of food, overload can lead to colic.
Horses do not vomit, because the stomach only allows food in.
Horses produce bile but do not have a gall bladder.

Nervous System

The nervous system is composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, nerve fibres, and nerve cells (sensory and motor neurons).
The brain is protected by the bones of the skull and the meninges, which also provide nutrients.
The brain is divided into three areas: forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

Endocrine System

Hormones, secreted by the endocrine system, regulate growth, reproduction, digestion, and other body functions.
The endocrine system is made up of: hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thymus, thyroid gland, parathyroids, pancreas, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes.

Sensory Systems

Horses are very sensitive to touch, with sensitive skin covered in receptor cells.
The muzzles have tactile hairs and vast numbers of nerve endings.
The skin is divided into three layers: epidermis, dermis, and subdermal layer.
Horses have a much better sense of smell than humans.
Horses “flehmen” to amplify a smell, not show distaste.
Horses have large, mobile tongues but little is known about their sense of taste beyond bitter, sweet, sour, and salty.

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Description

Explore the intricate anatomy of a horse's skeleton. This quiz covers key aspects of skeletal support, bone classification, and the functions of various bone structures. Test your knowledge on the axial and appendicular skeletons along with the crucial roles of blood components.