ECC Equine Anatomy & Physiology 5

Question 1

The equine cervicothoracic junction (C7-T1) is notable for which biomechanical feature relevant to chiropractic assessment?

Accepted Answer

It is a transitional zone where cervical lordosis meets thoracic kyphosis, producing high shear stress

Answer

The cervicothoracic junction is a mechanically complex transition zone between the mobile cervical spine and the more constrained thoracic spine, making it a high-stress area susceptible to dysfunction.

Question 2

What is the function of the cunean tendon in the equine hock, and why is it clinically relevant?

Accepted Answer

It is the medial branch of the tibialis cranialis that crosses the hock medially and is associated with bone spavin pain

Answer

The cunean tendon is the medial branch of the tibialis cranialis that passes obliquely over the medial aspect of the hock; cunean tenectomy was historically used to relieve bone spavin pain.

Question 3

During the stance phase of the equine stride, the back undergoes which primary movement pattern at the thoracolumbar region?

Accepted Answer

Dorsoventral oscillation with slight lateral coupling

Answer

During stance, the equine thoracolumbar spine undergoes dorsoventral oscillation (slight dorsiflexion at push-off) with coupled lateral bending, forming the three-dimensional movement that chiropractic treatment aims to restore.

Question 4

Which foramina transmit the equine spinal nerves laterally from the vertebral canal, and what structures pass through them?

Accepted Answer

Intervertebral foramina; spinal nerve roots and radicular blood vessels

Answer

Intervertebral foramina allow passage of the dorsal and ventral nerve roots (forming spinal nerves) along with radicular arteries and veins that supply the cord.

Question 5

What is the primary difference between the structure of the equine intervertebral disc compared to humans, and why does this matter clinically?

Accepted Answer

Equine discs have a very thick annulus and small nucleus, making classic disc herniation rare in the thoracolumbar spine

Answer

Equine intervertebral discs have a proportionally thick fibrous annulus and a small, relatively dehydrated nucleus pulposus, making true disc extrusion rare compared to chondrodystrophic dogs or humans.

(ECC) Equine Chiropractic Certification Practice Test

(ECC) Equine Chiropractic Certification Practice Test

ECC Equine Anatomy & Physiology 5