What are the functions of the skeletal system?
Protection, locomotion, attachment of the skeletal muscle, production and storage of blood cells, and storage of minerals
What are the divisions of vertebrae
Cervical (C): Neck Thoracic (T): Thoracic (chest) Lumbar (L): Lower back or abdominal region Sacral (S): Pelvis Caudal (Cd): Coccygeal (tail)
What are the first two Cervical (C) vertebrae named?
Atlas, Axis
What do C1 and C2 do?
They slot together in a special pivot joint to allow the head to turn and move.
C1 (Atlas) is capable of lifting the head up and down, C2 (Axis) allows the head to rotate from left to right.
What is the sacrum?
The sacral vertebrae are fused together in the adult cat/dog to form the sacrum which forms a fibrosynovial joint with the wing of the ilium to form the sacroiliac joint.
What type of bones are the vertebrae?
Ireggular.
What are the functions of the spine?
Stiffen the body axis and help maintain posture, enclose and protect the spinal cord, shield and protect underlying structures.
How many pairs of ribs do cats and dogs have?
13.
What are the first 8 ribs, which directly attach to the sternum, called?
Sternal ribs.
What are ribs 9-12 called? Where do they attach?
(False) Asternal ribs - they attach to the next rib rather than the sternum and form the costal arch.
What is the 13th rib? Where does it attach?
A floating rib; the cartilage end does not attach to the sternum or another rib.
What are the hindlimbs connected to?
The pelvis.
What is the pelvis made up of?
Two hip bones which are made of three bones: Ilium Ischium Pubis.
What type of bone is the patella?
A sesamoid bone.
What type of bone are the metacarpal bones?
Long bones.