Directional Terminology EQS 110

Role of Directional Terms Directional terms can be likened to a compass on a map – they are used to describe locations of structures in relation to other structures on the body For equine caretakers, directional terms are used in communication with other equine professionals, such as veterinarians. You may also see these terms used in readings concerning anatomy and physiology The goal of this lecture is to introduce you to common directional terms by identifying their use so that you may utilize and recognize these terms in equine settings

Directional Terms

The withers are cranial Cranial: refers to structures above the knees / hocks closer to the head The withers are cranial to the hip In the example to your left, we are discussing that the withers are closer to the head than the hip, therefore the withers are cranial to the hip

Caudal: refers to structures above the knees / hocks closer to the tail The loin is caudal to the shoulder In the example to your left, we are discussing that the loin is closer to the tail than the shoulder, therefore the loin is caudal to the shoulder

Dorsal: refers to structures that are closer to the back The croup is dorsal to the stifle In the example to your left, we are discussing that the croup is closer to the back than the stifle, therefore the croup is dorsal to the stifle

Ventral: refers to structures that are closer to the stomach to the back In the example to your left, we are discussing that the ribs are closer to the stomach than the back, therefore the ribs are ventral to the back The ribs are ventral

The knee is proximal to the hoof Proximal: specific to the limbs, refers to structures closer to the body In the example to your left, we are discussing that the knee is closer to the body than the hoof. You can also think about proximal being “above”, so the knee is above the hoof The knee is proximal to the hoof The knee is proximal to the hoof

The cannon is distal to the hock Distal: specific to the limbs, refers to structures further from the body In the example to your left, we are discussing that the cannon is further from the body than the hock. You can also think about distal being “below”, so the cannon is below the hock The cannon is distal to the hock to the hock The cannon is distal

Palmar: refers to structures that are closer to the back of the forelimb Plantar: refers to structures that are closer to the back of the hind limb The opposite side (or the front aspect of the leg) is considered dorsal Dorsal Plantar Dorsal

When would we use palmar, plantar, and dorsal? These terms are commonly used when specifically discussing an issue or ailment on the limb For example, the image to the left illustrates a bowed tendon, a common type of equine athletic injury The swelling (pointed to by the arrows) is at the palmar aspect of the limb, meaning there is swelling at the back aspect of the front limb If this was a hind limb we would say there is swelling at the plantar aspect

When would we use palmar, plantar, and dorsal? These terms are commonly used when specifically discussing an issue or ailment on the limb Reversely, if we are discussing swelling at the front aspect of the limb we would use the term dorsal The image to the left illustrates bucked shins, another common equine athletic injury, which involves swelling at the dorsal aspect of the cannon bone

Medial: refers to structures that are closer to the median plane (middle of the horse / limb) If you told someone the horse has a cut on the medial aspect of his left foreleg then the person would be looking for the cut on the inside of the left foreleg If you told someone the horse has a cut on the lateral aspect of his left foreleg then the person would be looking for the cut on the outside of the left foreleg Lateral: refers to structures that are further away from the median plane (middle of the horse / limb)

The knee is to the fetlock. Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. The knee is closer to the body than the fetlock, therefore it is proximal to the fetlock. Another way to think about it is that the knee is “above” the fetlock, above = proximal Click to hide Proximal Distal Dorsal Withers and Hock Point of Hip and Flank Fetlock and Cannon Elbow and Gaskin Hoof and Coronary Band Fetlock and Knee Forearm and Neck Shoulder and Hindquarter Point of Shoulder and Stifle Loin and Croup Ribs and Back Chest and Point of Buttock Poll and Muzzle Left Out – Jugular Groove Ventral The knee is to the fetlock. proximal Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Correct! Explain Why

The neck is to the hindquarter. Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. The neck is closer to the head than the hindquarter, therefore it is cranial to the hindquarter. Click to hide Proximal Distal Caudal Cranial Withers and Hock Point of Hip and Flank Fetlock and Cannon Elbow and Gaskin Hoof and Coronary Band Fetlock and Knee Forearm and Neck Shoulder and Hindquarter Point of Shoulder and Stifle Loin and Croup Ribs and Back Chest and Point of Buttock Poll and Muzzle Left Out – Jugular Groove The neck is to the hindquarter. cranial Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Correct! Explain Why

The back of the horse’s foreleg is known as the aspect. Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. We use the term palmar to discuss the back aspect of a horse’s front leg, plantar when looking at the back aspect of the hind leg, and dorsal when looking at the front aspect of either the front or hind leg. Click to hide Distal Plantar Palmar Dorsal Withers and Hock Point of Hip and Flank Fetlock and Cannon Elbow and Gaskin Hoof and Coronary Band Fetlock and Knee Forearm and Neck Shoulder and Hindquarter Point of Shoulder and Stifle Loin and Croup Ribs and Back Chest and Point of Buttock Poll and Muzzle Left Out – Jugular Groove The back of the horse’s foreleg is known as the aspect. Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again palmar Correct! Explain Why

Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. Medial refers to inside, so an injury on the inside of the leg would have it on the medial aspect. If we were discussing the outside of the leg we would use lateral. Click to hide Lateral Medial Dorsal Withers and Hock Point of Hip and Flank Fetlock and Cannon Elbow and Gaskin Hoof and Coronary Band Fetlock and Knee Forearm and Neck Shoulder and Hindquarter Point of Shoulder and Stifle Loin and Croup Ribs and Back Chest and Point of Buttock Poll and Muzzle Left Out – Jugular Groove Proximal A horse with an injury on the inside of the leg would have it on the aspect Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Correct! medial Explain Why

The hock is at the aspect of the hind leg. Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. The hock is located at the back aspect of the hind leg. We refer to the back aspect of hind leg as plantar. Click to hide Cranial Plantar Palmar Dorsal Withers and Hock Point of Hip and Flank Fetlock and Cannon Elbow and Gaskin Hoof and Coronary Band Fetlock and Knee Forearm and Neck Shoulder and Hindquarter Point of Shoulder and Stifle Loin and Croup Ribs and Back Chest and Point of Buttock Poll and Muzzle Left Out – Jugular Groove The hock is at the aspect of the hind leg. plantar Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Correct! Explain Why

The stifle is to the croup. Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. The stifle is closer to the stomach than the back, therefore it is ventral to the croup. Click to hide Cranial Ventral Palmar Plantar Withers and Hock Point of Hip and Flank Fetlock and Cannon Elbow and Gaskin Hoof and Coronary Band Fetlock and Knee Forearm and Neck Shoulder and Hindquarter Point of Shoulder and Stifle Loin and Croup Ribs and Back Chest and Point of Buttock Poll and Muzzle Left Out – Jugular Groove The stifle is to the croup. ventral Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Incorrect, Try Again Correct! Explain Why

Finished

You have finished Lecture 2 – Directional Terminology You have finished Lecture 2 – Directional Terminology. Utilize the directional terminology worksheet to practice further. When you are ready, take your directional terminology assessment in Blackboard.