Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals Flashcards

Which proprioceptive receptors found in joint capsules are most important for detecting changes in joint position and movement speed?

Answer: Ruffini endings and Golgi tendon organ-like receptors

Ruffini endings detect joint position and slow movement, while Golgi-type receptors in the capsule detect tension changes, both contributing to proprioception.

The longus colli muscle in horses primarily functions to:

Answer: Flex and stabilize the cervical vertebral column

The longus colli is a deep ventral cervical muscle that flexes and stabilizes the cervical vertebral column against extension forces.

In equine spinal biomechanics, coupling refers to:

Answer: Simultaneous motion in more than one plane occurring together

Coupling is the phenomenon where movement in one plane (e.g., lateral bending) is automatically accompanied by movement in another plane (e.g., rotation).

The horse has how many coccygeal (caudal) vertebrae on average?

Answer: 15–21

Horses typically have 15–21 coccygeal (caudal) vertebrae, though this number varies between individuals.

Which structure passes through the transverse foramen of cervical vertebrae C1–C6 in horses?

Answer: Vertebral artery and vein

The vertebral artery and accompanying vein pass through the transverse foramina of C1–C6, supplying blood to the brainstem and cerebellum.

The articular pillars in equine cervical vertebrae are formed by the:

Answer: Stacked articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

The articular pillars are formed by the stacked superior and inferior articular processes (zygapophyses) of adjacent vertebrae, forming columns lateral to the vertebral canal.

Which equine muscle's atrophy is commonly observed as a clinical sign of sacroiliac joint dysfunction?

Answer: Gluteal muscles (especially middle gluteal)

Atrophy of the gluteal muscles, particularly the middle gluteal, is a hallmark clinical sign associated with sacroiliac joint pathology in horses.