Directional Terminolog y EQS 110 Role of Directional

Directional Terminolog y 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

Cranial: refers to structures The withers are cranial to the hip above the knees / hocks closer to the head 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 The loin is caudal to the shoulder above the knees / hocks closer to the tail 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 to the back The ribs are ventral are closer to the stomach 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

Proximal: specific to the limbs, refers to structures closer to the body The knee is proximal to the hoof 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

Distal: specific to the limbs, refers to structures further from the body to the hock The cannon is distal 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

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 Dorsal The opposite side (or the front aspect of the leg) is considered dorsal Plantar

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 lateral aspect of his left foreleg then the person would be looking for thethe cut on the inside be looking on the of the outside of left the foreleg left foreleg Lateral: refers to structures that are further away from the median plane (middle of the horse / limb)

Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. The knee is proximal to the fetlock. Explain Why The knee is closer to Proximal the body than the fetlock, therefore it is proximal to the Distal fetlock. Another way to think about it is Dorsal that the knee is “above” the fetlock, above = proximal Ventral Click to hide Incorrect, Correct! Try Again

Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. Proximal The neck is closer to the head than the Distal hindquarter, therefore it is cranial to the Caudal hindquarter. Click to hide Cranial The neck is cranial to the hindquarter. Explain Why Incorrect, Correct! Try Again

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 Distal the back aspect of a horse’s front leg, plantar when looking at Plantar the back aspect of the hind leg, and dorsal when looking at the front Palmar aspect of either the front or hind leg. Click to hide Dorsal The back of the horse’s foreleg is known as the palmar aspect. Explain Why Incorrect, Correct! Try Again

Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. Medial refers to Lateral inside, so an injury on the inside of the leg Medial would have it on the medial aspect. If we were discussing Dorsal the outside of the leg we would use lateral. Click to hide Proximal A horse with an injury on the inside of the leg would have it on the medial aspect Explain Why Incorrect, Correct! Try Again

Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. Cranial The hock is located at the back. Plantar aspect of the hind leg. We refer to the back aspect of Palmar hind leg as plantar. Click to hide Dorsal The hock is at the plantar aspect of the hind leg. Explain Why Incorrect, Correct! Try Again

Using directional terms and parts of the horse, correctly identify the best term that will work in the sentence provided. Cranial The stifle is closer to Ventral the stomach than the back, therefore it is ventral. Palmar to the croup. Click to hide Plantar The stifle is ventral to the croup. Explain Why Incorrect, Correct! Try Again

Finished

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.