What Is The Scapula In A Horse?

The scapula is a plate of bone positioned on the side of the horse from the withers to the point of the shoulder, where it joins the upper arm bone (humerus) to form the shoulder joint.

Does a horse have a scapula?

The scapula is placed laterally at a 45 degree angle. It is much more mobile in horses compared to humans, the horse having many fewer scapular/shoulder issues. There is also a large piece of scapular cartilage dorsally, incorporated into the withers.

What is scapula in animals?

The scapula (shoulder blade) is a flat bone lying against the cranial part of the lateral thoracic wall. The scapula presents: A costal surface (medial surface), facing the ribs that is hollowed by the shallow subscapular fossa occupied by the origin of the subscapular muscle.

Where is scapula located?

The scapula is a flat, triangular-shaped bone (colloquially as the “shoulder blade”). It is located in the upper thoracic region on the dorsal surface of the rib cage. It connects with the humerus at the glenohumeral joint as well as the clavicle at the acromioclavicular joint to form the shoulder joint.

What muscles attach to the scapula of a horse?

The first group of muscles attaching the scapula to the thorax are lie on the lateral and medial aspects of the scapula. These include the Trapezius, Omotransversarius, Rhomboideus, Latissimus Dorsi and Serratus ventralis.

Is the scapula attached to the skeleton on a horse?

Cartilage of scapula – Cartilago scapulae
The scapular cartilage (small in carnivores) is attached to the dorsal border of the scapula and may extend over the level of whiters (in horses). It serves for attachment of scapular muscles and may be partially calcified.

What is the top of a horse’s shoulder called?

Withers
Withers: the highest point of the thoracic vertebrae, the point just above the tops of the shoulder blades, seen best with horse standing square and head slightly lowered; the height of the horse is measured at the withers.

What is the main function of the scapula?

The scapula is an important bone in the function of the shoulder joint. It engages in 6 types of motion, which allow for full-functional upper extremity movement including protraction, retraction, elevation, depression, upward rotation, and downward rotation.

Why is it called the scapula?

The word scapular is from the Latin scapula, meaning shoulder blade. It is a garment first designed by monks during the Middle Ages as protective covering to be worn over their clothing when they did manual labor, such as in the fields or outside.

What does the scapula muscle do?

The scapula is responsible for several motions which are integral to daily movement and smooth upper extremity motion. Protraction and retraction of the scapula assist with movement of the pectoral girdle and chest muscles both forward and back, respectively.

What is a scapula injury?

What is a scapula fracture? The scapula, or shoulder blade, is the bone located in the back of your shoulder between the shoulder and the spine. It is generally easy to feel. Fractures of the scapula are most often caused by direct trauma from the back or side.

What causes the scapula to hurt?

Muscle strain: The most common cause of shoulder blade pain are muscle strains from intense workouts, heavy lifting, or even sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Snapping scapula syndrome: If your discomfort is accompanied by cracking and popping noises, this muscular condition could be the cause.

Is the scapula part of the shoulder?

The shoulder is extremely mobile and made up of several joints that work together. The scapula, clavicle and humerus are the bones of the shoulder. The glenohumeral joint is the main joint and is more like a golf ball sitting on a tee.

Can a horse recover from a shoulder injury?

Mild cases should recover in 6 to 8 weeks. In cases of severe nerve damage, spontaneous recovery may take many months, if it occurs at all. Such cases are candidates for surgery. If the nerve has been severed, recovery is unlikely.

How do you treat shoulder pain in a horse?

Injections of a corticosteroid into the joint may be of some benefit. Whole-body steroids or other anti-inflammatory drugs may relieve signs of pain. Hyaluronic acid, which lubricates joints and seems to benefit cases of degenerative disease in other joints, may also provide some relief.

How do you treat shoulder injuries in horses?

Treatment is with strict stall rest and anti-inflammatory drugs. The standard Equine Bute or Equioxx are used to decrease any inflammation on the nerve, allowing it to heal. Some will use physical therapy, massage and electro-acupuncture to help stimulate the nerve back to function.

What skeleton is the scapula part of?

The scapula, along with the clavicle and the manubrium of the sternum, make up the pectoral (shoulder) girdle which connects the upper limb of the appendicular skeleton to the axial skeleton.

What lies between scapula and ribs?

The serratus anterior originates via eight muscular “slips” that attach to the side of your ribs. It then courses around the side of your rib cage and underneath your scapula. There, it inserts along the medial border of your scapula.

What happens when a horse breaks its shoulder?

Horses have lighter bone mass and, when a break occurs, the bone shatters, making it difficult to repair. Even if the bone does mend, there is a risk the bone will be deformed and will be unable to bear weight – and the horse is likely to suffer severe pain.

What are the 3 shoulder heads called?

The deltoid consists of three parts, also known as heads: The anterior deltoid is located at the front of the shoulder. The posterior deltoid is located at the back of the shoulder. The lateral deltoid is sandwiched between the anterior and posterior deltoids.

What are shoulders who fight on horseback called?

Soldiers who fought on horseback were known as cavalry.