1. Directional Terminology
EQS 110

2. 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

3. Directional Terms

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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
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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
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Incorrect, Try Again
Incorrect, Try Again
Correct!
Explain Why

15. 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.
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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

16. 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.
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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

17. 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.
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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
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Incorrect, Try Again
Incorrect, Try Again
Correct!
medial
Explain Why

18. 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.
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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

19. 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.
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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

20. Finished

21. 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.