2. Vertebral Column
The vertebral column consists of a series of unpaired, median
irregular bones, the vertebrae, extending from the skull to
the tail.
Some vertebrae may become fused (e.g. in the sacral region).
The Name of vertebrae in body region
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacral
Caudal
3. Vertebral Column
A typical vertebra consists of:
(1) BODY - cylindrical mass articulating cranially (convex) and caudally (concave)
with other vertebrae.
(2) ARCH - Two lateral halves which, together with the body, form the vertebral
foramen containing the spinal cord and its vessels. The base of the arch
(pedicel) has vertebral notches for the passage of spinal nerves and vessels.
(3) PROCESSES -- Articular processes, two anterior and two posterior articulate
with adjacent vertebrae.
Spinous Process projects from the middle of the arch for the attachment of
muscles and ligaments
Transverse Process, two project laterally from the arch.
Mammillary Process, in most mammals on the posterior thoracic and anterior
lumbar vertebrae, between the transverse and anterior articular process.
4. Vertebral Column
Vertebrae from different regions are distinguished by characteristic
features:
Cervical :
Transverse foramina (except C7), atlas and axis unique
Throacic:
Long, caudally pointing spinous processes until T11; Costal
fovae for ribs
Lumbar:
Long cranially pointing transverse processes
Sacral:
Fusion, processes become crests, notches for nerves become
foramina
10. Cervical Vertebrae
Horses, cow and camel have seven cervical vertebrae.
The first cervical vertebra, Known as the atlas, has large wings and a thick
ventral arch instead of a true vertebral body.
The axis is the longest vertebra in most species. Its cranioventral aspect has
a bony projection called the dens, which represents an embryonic fusion of the
centrum of the proatlas and centrum of the axis
The dens of the ox is wider than that of the horse.
The third through the seventh cervical vertebrae are relatively similar in
architecture in all species.
11. Cervical Vertebrae
Region total Length 1 m
Atlas: 1st cervical vertebra: dorsally trapezoidal shape
Tuberculum dorsale: is not prominent
Wings slope progessively lateral ward from craniul to caudal
Alar foramen: penetrate the wing
Accessory alar foramen: caudolateral to alar foramen
• Not present in other domestic animals
13. Axis
2nd cervical vertebra
Largest
Spinous process slopes caudally
Transverse process slopes caudally in a longitudinal plane
Ending in a tuberous form (caudal extremity)
16. 3-7 Cervical vertebrae
Spinous process: low in c3 progressively higher & more tuberous in c4
&c5
The ventral surface of vertebral body become increasingly concave in
each successive vertebra
Cranial extremity is convex
C6 shorten
C7 spinous process higher, slender & has rounded extremity
Transverse process small concave ventral border
Cranial extremity convex
Caudal concave
Contains on each side articular facet (fovea articularis caudalis ) for
1st rib
20. Thoracic vertebrae
The horse has 18 thoracic vertebrae, whereas ox have 13 and camel has 12
vertebrae. In all species the thoracic vertebraeare short bodied with small
arches; they decrease in length and width caudal to T1.The transverse
processes of the thoracic vertebrae are small, and the spinous processes
are caudally inclined between T1.
21. Thoracic vertebrae (Camel)
12 in numbers
1st & 2nd longest but progressively length shortens
T12 100mm less than T1
T1 rounded & wide other becoming narrow
Spinous process high, flatend from side & end in a tuberous
fashion
Hight increases in T1 to T5 then slope down
Width increases, T1 to T6 then become narrow
All vertebrae’s Cranial edge sharper than caudal
24. Lumber vertebrae
The horse has six lumbar vertebrae, but some breeds
especially Arabians may have five. While Ox and Camel have
six and seven lumbar vertebrae respectively. The articular
processes of lumbar vertebrae have large facets oriented in
the sagittal plane. The transverse processes are plate-like and
flattened dorsoventrally.
25. Lumber vertebrae
7 in numbers
Vertebral body is almost equal in length except last 100mm
shorter
Transverse process L1 shortest then start Increases
Spinous process slight increase in hight from L1 to L7
L7 wedge shaped
28. Sacrum
The sacrum of the ox is longer than that of the horse and also comprises
five fused vertebrae while horse has 4 to 6. Fusion of the spinous
processes creates a median crest. The articular processes are also
fused, forming lateral crests.
29. Sacrum
It is formed by the 5 fussed sacral vertebrae
5th segment often not fused with 4th one, so for some researches
sacrum consist of only first 4 sacral vertebrae
Sacrum Charecteristics
Powerful cranial articular processes
Dorsal spine not fussed
Longitudinal Axis, more curved in Female than Male
33. Caudal vertebrae
The horse has 15 to 21 caudal vertebrae, of which only the most cranial
have transverse processes.There are no articular processes. The ventral
surfaces of these vertebrae are grooved for the median caudal artery.
The ox has18 to 20 caudal vertebrae.These are longer and
better developed than those of the horse.
Camel has 15 to 20 Caudal or coccygial vertebrae
34. Caudal vertebrae
15-20in numbers. Avg. 15-17
Vertebral body progressively constricted
Transverse processes present up to Cd1-Cd5
Becoming rod shape ,slender
spinous process directed dorso caudaly
Cranial extremity larger than caudal ones
37. QUESTIONS
1) Write Different Name of regions of vertebral column of Camel.
2) Write The Vertebral Formula of Ox and Horse.
3) Name of the bones forming “Yes” and “No” joints?
4) Enlist Special Features of the Caudal vertebra?
5) Name of the largest vertebrae in the animal body?
6) Differentiate Thoracic and Lumber Vertebra at least 3 points?
7) Composition of Sacral vertebrae in Horse , ox and camel?
8) Name of foramen present in camel Atlas while absent in other
animals?
9) Enlist the Parts of Atypical vertebrae?
10) Identification point of the cranial and caudal sides of vertebrae?