The horse’s skeletal system is a complex one and a knowledge of its structure is essential for all veterinary students, practitioners and surgeons. The previous editions of this book have become classic reference texts and this sixth edition has been fully revised, enlarged and updated to incorporate the latest advances in functional anatomy. The number of illustrations has also been increased significantly and is presented in a style that allows the reader to appreciate the detailed structures illustrated.
Part I includes 80 pages of opposing text and color plates, which illustrate the anatomy of various regions by a topographic approach. Part II includes 20 pages of tables that summarize the details of muscle attachment, nerve supply, and function; position and field of drainage of lymph nodes; and the origins and distribution of peripheral nerves; this information is key to understanding the anatomy described in the color plates in part 1. Part III provides clinical problems involving structures illustrated in parts I and II.
Recognition of anatomical landmarks on the live animal is a critical skill for veterinary students, but many find it difficult to transfer their knowledge from dissection-based anatomy to the actual live patient. In this study, third year veterinary students were randomly assigned to an experimental group (reviewing a rug depicting topographical anatomy) or control group (reviewing a conventional textbook). Both groups were then tested on their ability to identify key areas for lung, heart and gastrointestinal auscultation on the live animal using the same landmarks that they had learned on the rug.