How many carpal bones does an equine knee have?

How many carpal bones does an equine knee have?

• A. 4
• B. 6 to 7
• C. 8
• D. 6

Answer: (B)

The number of carpal bones in the equine knee varies because some bones fuse during development. In the horse, the carpus has two rows of small bones, with three in the proximal row and four in the distal row. A common fusion is the second and third carpal bones joining to form a single central bone, which reduces the count. Depending on how much fusion occurs in an individual horse, the total can be seven or, in some cases, six. That variability is why the typical range is six to seven carpal bones in the equine knee.

The number of carpal bones in the equine knee varies because some bones fuse during development. In the horse, the carpus has two rows of small bones, with three in the proximal row and four in the distal row. A common fusion is the second and third carpal bones joining to form a single central bone, which reduces the count. Depending on how much fusion occurs in an individual horse, the total can be seven or, in some cases, six. That variability is why the typical range is six to seven carpal bones in the equine knee.