Axial and Appendicular
Skeletons
Ag Fact- Most peaches that are
imported to the United States during
winter months come from Chile.
Objective- Students will be able to
compare and contrast the axial and
appendicular skeletons.
Two Major Sections of the Skeleton

Axial Skeleton
– Skull, Vertebrae, Ribs,
and sternum

Appendicular Skeleton
– Consists of the limb
bones

Total Number of bones
varies between species
Axial Skeleton

Skull (Cranium)
– Protection of the brain
and other organ of
special senses.
– Moveable mandible
allows animals to
obtain and chew food
 Holds teeth
– Shape Different among
species.
Axial Skeleton

Vertebral Column
– Length of the body
– Protects the spinal
cord and allows for
movement
– Bony Arch
Axial Skeleton

Intervertebral Disks
– Between the vertebras
– Strong, fibrous outer
rings and soft spongy
centers
– Provides cushioning

Intervertebral Disk
Disease
– Disk becomes less
spongy
– Pressure between the
vertebrae cause the
center to rupture
Axial Skeleton
Vertebral column
broken down into
anatomic division
 Cervical Vertebraeneck

– Atlas- up-down
movement
– Axis- rotate back and
forth
Axial Skeleton
Thoracic Vertebrae
Attached to the Ribs
 Protects the heart and
lungs
 Ribs join at the
sternum

Axial Skeleton
Lumbar Vertebrae
Lower back- between thoracic vertebra
and pelvis
 Flexion and extension
 Supports the organs in the abdomen

Axial Skeleton
Sacrum

Group of three sacral
vertebrae
– Joins with the pelvis
– Pelvis may split away
from sacrum
 Very painful
 Heals with restricted
activities
Axial Skeleton
Cauda or coccygeal

Comprised of the tail
Appendicular Skeleton

Thoracic limb
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

scapula – shoulder blade
humerus - long bone of the
upper arm
radius - one of 2 long bones of
the forearm
ulna - one of 2 long bones of the
forearm
carpus - wrist or knee
metacarpals
phalanges
Pelvic limb
–
–
–
–
–
pelvis
femur - long bone of the thigh
tibia - one of 2 long bones of the
lower leg
fibula - one of 2 long bones of the
lower leg
– tarsus
– metatarsals
– phalanges
Appendicular Skeleton
Forelimbs

Scapula (shoulder
Blade) lays flat
– Rotation up to 25
degrees

High-rise syndrome
– Cats rarely break a leg
when falling from a
great distance
– Elbow flexes and
scapula rotate
– Cats break their lower
jaw
Appendicular Skeleton
Forelimbs
Humerus is the upper
bone of the forelimb
 #3

– Jointed to scapula with
ball and socket joint
– Joins at elbow to
radius and ulna
 Hinge joint

Radius#5 and Ulna
#4 run to the carpus
Appendicular Skeleton
Forelimbs
Carpal Bones join
to the long
metacarpal bones.
 The horse has two
smaller metacarpal
bones, called a
splint.
 Ruminants (Cattle
and Sheep) have a
large metacarpal
bone

Appendicular Skeleton
Forelimbs
Phalanges
 Singular phalanx
 Covered by hoof or nail

Appendicular Skeleton
Pelvic Limbs
Does form a bony connection with the
spine.
 The pelvis is made of two halves
 Halves are divided up into regions

– Ilium
– Ischium
– Pubis
Appendicular Skeleton
Pelvic Limbs

Acetabulum or socket
portion of the hip
joint.
– Accepts the ball
portion of the femur

The femur extends
down the leg to the
level of the knee or
stifle.
Appendicular Skeleton
Pelvic Limbs

Tibia-Lower leg
– Heavy bone
– Weight bearing
– Extends down to the
hock

Fibula – also present
in the lower leg
– Smaller than the tibia
– Provides muscle
attachment
Appendicular Skeleton
Pelvic Limbs
There is hinge joint
between the tibia and
tarsal bones.
 Tarsal bones
arranged in the same
fashion as the carpal
bones

Appendicular Skeleton
Pelvic Limbs

Metatarsal are in
identical order as
metacarpal bone in
the front leg.
Appendicular Skeleton
Pelvic Limbs

Phalanges
– The number of bones in the hind foot
generally matches that of the thoracic limb.
Chicken (Fowl)
•1. Coccygeal vertebra
•2. Sacrum
•3. Lumbar vertebrae
•4. Thoracic vertebrae
•5. Cervical vertebrae
•6. Skull
•7. Scapula
•8. Shoulder
•9. Humerus
•10. Elbow
•11. Radius
•12. Carpus
•13. Metacarpals
•14. Ulna
•15. Ribs
•17. Metatarsals
•18. Tarsus
•19. Fibula
•20. Tibia
•21. Knee (stifle)
•22. Pelvis
Dog Skeleton Review