Appendicular Skeleton

Question 1

What is the appendicular skeleton composed of?

Answer 1

The bones of the limbs, including the pelvis.

Question 2

How is the forelimb of dogs and cats connected to the rest of the skeleton?

Answer 2

It is attached via muscles.

Question 3

What is the most proximal bone of the forelimb?

Answer 3

Scapula.

Question 4

What is the central ridge of the scapula called?

Answer 4

The spine of the scapula.

Question 5

What is the prominence at the distal end of the scapular spine called?

Answer 5

Acromion.

Question 6

Do cats have a clavicle? If so, how is it characterized?

Answer 6

Yes, it is very rudimentary and does not attach to the rest of the forelimb bones.

Question 7

What does the humerus form?

Answer 7

The upper forelimb.

Question 8

What is the lateral prominence on the proximal end of the humerus called?

Answer 8

Greater tubercle.

Question 9

What two bones make up the lower forelimb?

Answer 9

Radius and ulna.

Question 10

Where does the radius lie in relation to the ulna?

Answer 10

On the cranial surface proximally and the medial surface distally.

Question 11

What is the large, distinctive prominence on the ulna called?

Answer 11

Olecranon.

Question 12

What forms the point of the elbow?

Answer 12

Olecranon.

Question 13

What is the name of the large depression forming the elbow joint?

Answer 13

Trochlear notch.

Question 14

What is the prominence proximal to the trochlear notch called?

Answer 14

Anconeal process.

Question 15

What is the prominence distal to the trochlear notch called?

Answer 15

Coronoid process.

Question 16

What forms the carpal joint?

Answer 16

A collection of small bones beneath the radius and ulna.

Question 17

What protrudes from the palmar-lateral surface of the carpal joint?

Answer 17

Accessory carpal bone.

Question 18

What bones sit below the carpal bones?

Answer 18

Metacarpals.

Question 19

How many phalanges are there in each digit?

Answer 19

3 phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal).

Question 20

What is the name of the very short metacarpal associated with the dew claw?

Answer 20

Metacarpal 1.

Question 21

How are the digits numbered?

Answer 21

From medial to lateral.

Question 22

How is the hindlimb attached to the spine?

Answer 22

By the sacroiliac joint.

Question 23

What three bones form the pelvis?

Answer 23

• Ilium
• Ischium
• Pubis

Question 24

What part of the pelvis does the ilium form?

Answer 24

The large dorso-cranial part of the pelvis.

Question 25

What forms the caudal part of the pelvis?

Answer 25

Ischium.

Question 26

What forms the ventro-medial part of the pelvis?

Answer 26

Pubis.

Question 27

What is the name of the cartilaginous joint where the two halves of the pelvis are fused together?

Answer 27

Pelvic symphysis.

Question 28

What is the socket forming the hip joint called?

Answer 28

Acetabulum.

Question 29

What is the large hole in the pelvis called that allows vessels and nerves to enter the hindlimb?

Answer 29

Obturator foramen ## Footnote The obturator foramen is an important anatomical feature in the pelvic region.

Question 30

What forms the hip joint in the hindlimb?

Answer 30

Head of the femur ## Footnote The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint.

Question 31

What is located laterally to the head of the femur?

Answer 31

Greater trochanter ## Footnote The greater trochanter is a prominent bony projection on the femur.

Question 32

What are the sesamoid bones found near the distal end of the femur?

Answer 32

Patella and fabellae ## Footnote The patella is located on the cranial surface, while the fabellae are on the caudal surface.

Question 33

Which bones form the lower hindlimb?

Answer 33

Tibia and fibula ## Footnote The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone, while the fibula is smaller and located laterally.

Question 34

What is the large crest on the cranial surface of the tibia called?

Answer 34

Tibial crest or tibial tuberosity ## Footnote The tibial crest serves as an attachment point for muscles.

Question 35

What are the small bones that make up the hock joint?

Answer 35

Tarsal bones ## Footnote The tarsal bones include several small bones, with the calcaneus being the largest.

Question 36

What is the name of the large bone on the caudal surface of the hock?

Answer 36

Calcaneus ## Footnote The calcaneus forms the point of the hock in the hindlimb.

Question 37

What adaptations do rabbits have for jumping and hopping?

Answer 37

Longer and larger hind limb bones ## Footnote The distal tibia and fibula are fused, increasing strength for jumping.

Question 38

True or False: Rabbits have a clavicle.

Answer 38

True ## Footnote Both rabbits and guinea pigs have a small clavicle.

Question 39

What bones are fused in the distal forelimb of rabbits?

Answer 39

Distal radius and ulna ## Footnote Fusion increases strength in the forelimb, similar to the distal tibia and fibula.

Question 40

How many pairs of ribs do rabbits have?

Answer 40

12 pairs ## Footnote This is the standard number of ribs in many mammals.

Question 41

What is the name of the bony prominence on the ulna, proximal to the trochlear notch?

Answer 41

Anconeal process