Skeletal System of The Horse - Functions of Bones

Functions of Bones

Bones serve three major functions in the skeletal system; they act as levers, they store minerals, and they are the site of red blood cell formation. Bones can be classified into five categories

1. Long Bones: aid in locomotion, store minerals, and act as levers. They are found mainly in the limbs.
2. Short Bones: Absorb concussion. Found in joints such as the knee, hock, and fetlock.
3. Flat Bones: Enclose body cavities containing organs. The ribs are examples of flat bones.
4. Irregular Bones: Protect the central nervous system. The vertebral column consists of irregular bones.
5. Sesamoids: Bones embedded within a tendon. The horse's proximal digital sesamoids are simply called the "sesamoid bones" by horsemen, his distal digital sesamoid is referred to as the navicular bone.

Ligaments and tendons hold the skeletal system together. Ligaments hold bones to bones and tendons hold bones to muscles. Synovial membranes are found in joint capsules, where they contain synovial fluid, which lubricates joints. Bones are covered by a tough membrane called periosteum, which covers the entire bone excluding areas of articulation.