Structure and Function of the Skeleton in Dogs (2024)

diseases conditions of dogs

diseases conditions of dogs

Structure and Function of the Skeleton in Dogs (3)

Structure and Function of the Skeleton in Dogs (4)

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Below is information about the structure and function of the canine skeleton. We will tell you about the general structure of skeleton, how bones work in dogs, common diseases that affect the skeletonand common diagnostic tests performed in dogs to evaluate the skeleton.

What Is the Skeleton?

The skeleton is the bony framework of the body that is present in all vertebrate animals, including dogs. It consists of bones, ligaments, and cartilage. The skeleton is composed of the hard tissues of the body, and its primary functions are to support the body, to provide a system of levers used in locomotion, to protect the soft organs of the body, and to produce red blood cells (hematopoiesis).

A dog’s skeleton is formed so the dog can run fast, hunt and chase. For example, a dog’s shoulder blades are not tightly connected to its skeleton, so the dog has potential for greater motion and flexibility. The dog skeleton has an average of 319 bones.

Where Is the Skeleton Located in Dogs?

The skeleton is located throughout the entire head and body.

What Is the General Structure of the Canine Skeleton?

The skeleton is composed of three skeletal subunits:

  • Appendicular skeleton – the bones of the limbs
  • Axial skeleton – the bones of the skull, spine, ribs and sternum
  • Visceral skeleton – bone that forms part of an organ (such as the middle ear ossicles)

    Bones are organs composed of hard, mineralized tissue that provide structural support to the body. Not all dogs have the exact same size and shape to their bones. Since people have been breeding dogs for hundreds of years, bones vary greatly in their length and thickness depending on the specific breed. Even though the tiny Chihuahua has the same number and type of bones as the Great Dane, the size and shape of their bones are very different. Dogs have the greatest variety in the size and configuration of their skeletons of any species of animal.

    The skeleton consists of bones that may be classified according to shape:

  • Long bones are found in the limbs.
  • Short bones are confined to the wrist (carpus, metacarpus) and ankle (tarsus, metatarsus) regions.
  • Sesamoid bones are present near freely moving joints, such as the wrist and the knee (stifle).
  • Flat bones are found in the pelvis where they provide for the attachment of muscles and long bones, and in the head where they surround and protect the eye, ear, sinuses, and brain.
  • Irregular bones include the vertebral column, all bones of the skull that are not of the flat type, and three parts of the hip bone.

    Bones contain several layers of tissue. The periosteum, a fibrous membrane, covers the outside of bone. This membrane is rich in small blood vessels called capillaries, which are responsible for nourishing bone.

    The firm, dense, outer layer of bone is called cortical bone. Eighty percent of skeletal bone mass is cortical bone. Cortical bone assumes much of the weight bearing of the body. Cancellous bone (also called trabecular bone) is an inner spongy structure that resembles honeycomb. Cancellous bone accounts for 20 percent of bone mass. This spongy mesh-like bone is specially designed for strength, with the meshwork behaving similar to the steel rebar rods that are buried within concrete.

    Bones also contain bone marrow within the hollow center shaft of bone (medullary cavity). Marrow is yellow when it is made up of mostly fat, and it is red in areas where red and white blood cells are produced. Red marrow is present in certain bones, like the leg (femur), upper arm (humerus), pelvis (ilium), and ribs.

  • What Are the Functions of the Skeleton in Dogs?

    The skeleton serves four functions:

  • Bones support and protect the body.
  • Bones serve as levers for muscular action.
  • Bones serve as a storehouse for calcium and phosphorus, and many other elements.
  • Bones serve as a factory for red blood cells and for several kinds of white blood cells. In the normal adult dog, it also stores fat.
  • What Are Some Diseases of the Skeleton in Dogs?

    Congenital diseases

    Certain congenital and developmental bone diseases occur in the dog. Examples include the following:

  • Panosteitis is an inflammation in the marrow cavity of the long bones. It affects primarily young, large- or giant breed dogs. Affected animals show signs of pain in the bone, lameness, fever and lethargy.
  • Hip dysplasia is abnormal development of the hip joint that causes the ball and socket of the joint to be looser than normal. Hip dysplasia occurs primarily in large breed dogs. Clinical signs may occur in young dogs or arise later in life as degenerative arthritis develops. Affected dogs may develop lameness, a bunny-hopping gait in their rear legs, a reluctance to walk, and stiffness in the rear legs.
  • Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a defect in the smooth cartilage surface within one or more joints, especially in the shoulder, elbow, hock and knee (stifle). It occurs primarily in young, growing, large breed dogs.
  • Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) is an inflammation in the growth plates of the long bones. It usually causes swelling and pain of the bone just above the joints, and primarily affects young, growing, large- and giant breeds of dogs.
  • Multiple cartilaginous exostoses are abnormal proliferations of bone in certain areas, such as the long bones, ribs, and vertebrae. They occur in young dogs and may cause lameness and discomfort.
  • Numerous other developmental abnormalities of joints may affect young dogs, such as aseptic necrosis of the head of the femur, dislocation of the knee cap (patella), and elbow dysplasia.

    Osteomyelitis

    Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of bone that is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Infections of the bone may also arise with certain fungal infections and in the presence of bone implants, such as bone plates and pins.

    Nutritional disorders

  • Some disorders that cause abnormalities in the circulating levels of calcium, phosphorous and certain vitamins can adversely affect bones. Examples include:
  • Rickets is severe weakening of the bone due to calcium deficiency or imbalances in the diet. It arises most often in young dogs fed an all meat diet. In puppies it causes lameness, deformities and fractures of the bone.
  • Chronic kidney failure affects bone by altering the amount of phosphorus and vitamin D in the body. The bones become soft, thin, and weak.
  • A deficiency in vitamin D in the diet, or low conversion of vitamin D in the body from a lack of exposure to sunlight, can affect the development of bone. Lameness, bony deformities and fractures may occur.

    Trauma. Trauma to bones is perhaps the most common skeletal disorder encountered in the dogs, especially dogs allowed to roam free. Dogs that are injured through falls, automobile accidents or fights can experience a variety of bony fractures and dislocations.

    Cancer. Neoplasia or cancer of bone occurs in the dog. Tumors may arise within the tissues of the bone or may invade bones from the surrounding soft tissues. Large breed dogs develop more bone cancer than do small breed dogs. Dogs may also develop cancers of the bone marrow, such as lymphosarcoma.

  • What Types of Diagnostic Tests Are Used to Evaluate the Skeleton?

  • Physical examination and palpation of bones. The initial evaluation of the skeleton involves a thorough examination, with palpation of the bones and joints. The animal may be observed in the examination room for signs of lameness and abnormalities in gait.
  • Radiography. Cortical and cancellous bone and some forms of cartilage show up very well on plain x-rays. For this reason, plain x-rays are an important tool in evaluating the skeleton. Some x-rays may be taken with the animal awake and sedated, while other x-rays may require that the animal be completely anesthetized.
  • Routine laboratory tests. A complete blood count and biochemistry profile may be taken to look for signs of infection and abnormalities in circulating levels of calcium and phosphorus. These tests are also helpful to detect other disorders that may affect the bones, such as kidney disease, anemia and leukemia.
  • Special laboratory tests. If an infection of bone is suspected, then samples may be collected for bacterial and fungal cultures. Serologic tests for fungal diseases may also be submitted. Occasionally the levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormones are measured in the blood.
  • Bone biopsy. Identification of the type of bone disease present may require a bone biopsy. This is especially true in cases of congenital and developmental bone diseases, osteomyelitis and tumors of bone.
  • Bone marrow biopsy. Biopsy of the bone marrow cavity is done via passage of a needle into the red bone marrow of one or more bones and aspiration of a sample of the bone marrow. The bone marrow sample is then sent to a veterinary pathologist for microscopic examination.
  • Advanced imaging techniques. CT and MRI are very useful in examining bones and their adjacent soft tissues, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Radioisotope bone scans are also helpful in some cases. To arrange these tests often requires that your dog be referred to a veterinary orthopedic specialist or a veterinary radiologist.
  • Chest x-rays. Chest x-rays may be taken to look for evidence of infection or tumors that have spread to the lungs, and to identify abnormalities in the ribs or vertebrae of the chest.
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    FAQs

    What is the structure of the skeletal system of a dog? ›

    The canine skeleton is divided into two regions: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton consists of the vertebral column and the rib cage. The appendicular skeleton consists of the pectoral girdle/limb and the pelvic girdle/limb.

    What is the function of the skeleton in a dog? ›

    Provide the rigid structural framework of the body. Protect the internal organs from damage. Serve as levers that enable physical movement along with the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Store calcium and phosphorus – these minerals are continuously deposited and withdrawn from the bone to support essential bodily ...

    What are the 5 important functions of the skeletal system in animals? ›

    The major functions of the skeletal system are body support, facilitation of movement, protection of internal organs, storage of minerals and fat, and blood cell formation.

    What are 4 functions of the skeletal system in animals? ›

    Support, movement, and protection. The skeleton supports skeletal muscles, provides innervations that assist with muscle contraction, and protects internal organs.

    What is the structure and function of the skeleton? ›

    The skeletal system works as a support structure for your body. It gives the body its shape, allows movement, makes blood cells, provides protection for organs and stores minerals. The skeletal system is also called the musculoskeletal system.

    What is the structure and function of the skeletal muscle system? ›

    Skeletal muscles consist of flexible muscle fibers that range from less than half an inch to just over three inches in diameter. These fibers usually span the length of the muscle. The fibers contract (tighten), which allows the muscles to move bones so you can perform lots of different movements.

    What is the skeletal structure of animals? ›

    The skeletal system in vertebrates is divided into the axial skeleton (which consists of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage), and the appendicular skeleton (which consists of the shoulders, limb bones, the pectoral girdle, and the pelvic girdle).

    How many bones does a dog have in its skeletal system? ›

    How many bones make up the dog's skeleton? Dogs have on average between 319 – 321 bones in their body. The main difference in the number of bones has to do with the tail length, i.e. shorter tails have fewer vertebrae than longer tails. Some breeds can also have extra bones in their hind dewclaws.

    What are the 5 functions of the skeletal structure? ›

    Your bones serve five main functions in your body, including:
    • Supporting your body and helping you move. Your bones literally hold up your body and keep it from collapsing to the ground. ...
    • Protecting your internal organs. ...
    • Producing your blood cells. ...
    • Storing and releasing fat. ...
    • Storing and releasing minerals.
    Nov 24, 2021

    What are the 6 skeletal functions? ›

    The human skeleton serves six major functions: support, movement, protection, production of blood cells, storage of ions, and endocrine regulation. Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard, dense connective tissue that forms most of the adult skeleton, the support structure of the body.

    What are the 5 functions of skeletal muscle? ›

    The main functions of skeletal muscle are to contract to produce movement, sustain body posture and position, maintain body temperature, store nutrients, and stabilize joints.

    What are the 7 functions of the skeleton? ›

    The skeletal system is the body system composed of bones and cartilage and performs the following critical functions for the human body:
    • supports the body.
    • facilitates movement.
    • protects internal organs.
    • produces blood cells.
    • stores and releases minerals and fat.

    What are the three skeletons of dogs and its component parts? ›

    • The skeleton can be considered to be made up of three parts: • Axial skeleton, forming the central axis of the animal and comprising the skull, vertebral column and the rib cage. • Appendicular skeleton, comprising the fore and hind limbs and the limb girdles which attach them to the body.

    What are the 7 functions of the skeletal system quizlet? ›

    Match
    • Support. Bones provide a framework that supports the body and cradles its soft organs. ...
    • Protection. The fused bones of the skull protect the brain. ...
    • Anchorage. ...
    • Mineral and Growth Factor Storage. ...
    • Blood cell formation. ...
    • Triglyceride (fat) storage. ...
    • Hormone Production.

    What are the 4 major structures of the skeleton? ›

    Today, we're going to look at the four main organs of the skeletal system: bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

    How many main functions of the skeleton are there? ›

    The skeleton has six main functions: Support – the skeleton keeps the body upright and provides a framework for muscle and tissue attachment. Posture – the skeleton gives the correct shape to our body. Protection – the bones of the skeleton protect the internal organs and reduce the risk of injury on impact.

    What are the 4 types of skeletons? ›

    Though bony endoskeletons are the best known, the animal kingdom features three other types of skeleton: exoskeletons, cartilaginous endoskeletons, and hydrostatic skeletons.

    Does the animal have skeletal system mention its structure and function? ›

    Skeletal systems provide structure and protection for a variety of organisms. A water-based skeleton provides the structure necessary for movement in worms. The hard external skeleton (exoskeleton) not only provides a protective mechanism for many organisms but also assists in movement of insects.

    What is the function of the bones in animals? ›

    Bones support the soft parts of the body and protect organs like the brain, lungs and heart. They also work as a lever used by muscle to produce movement. As a metabolic center, bones store calcium and phosphorous, and regulate their metabolism.

    What is the strongest bone in a dog? ›

    Femur Meaning

    The femur is the thigh bone in vertebrate animals. It is the strongest bone in the body and the only bone in the upper leg.

    What is the biggest bone in a dog's body? ›

    The canine femur is the heaviest4 and largest5 canine bone. In most dogs, it is slightly shorter than the tibia and the ulna and approximately one-fifth longer than the humerus.

    Does a dog have an internal skeleton? ›

    Examples of endoskeletons

    All humans have an endoskeleton, and so do dogs.

    What are the five functions of the skeletal system and explain how each function is used in the body to maintain homeostasis? ›

    Sample answer: Functions of the skeletal system include supporting the body, giving the body shape, protecting internal organs, allowing the body to move, producing blood cells, storing minerals, helping maintain mineral homeostasis, and producing endocrine hormones.

    What is the structure of bone tissue? ›

    Tissue that gives strength and structure to bones. Bone is made up of compact tissue (the hard, outer layer) and cancellous tissue (the spongy, inner layer that contains red marrow). Bone tissue is maintained by bone-forming cells called osteoblasts and cells that break down bone called osteoclasts.

    Which of the following is not a function of the skeleton? ›

    Final answer: The production of body heat is not a function of the skeletal system.

    What are the 8 functions of the skeleton? ›

    The skeleton serves six major functions: support, movement, protection, production of blood cells, storage of minerals and endocrine regulation.
    • Support. The skeleton provides the framework which supports the body and maintains its shape. ...
    • Movement. ...
    • Protection. ...
    • Blood cell production. ...
    • Storage. ...
    • Endocrine regulation.

    What are the 5 types of skeletal system? ›

    How are they categorized? There are five types of bones in the skeleton: flat, long, short, irregular, and sesamoid.

    What are 5 functions of the skeletal system and give a description of each quizlet? ›

    The five important functions of the skeletal system are support, protection, movement, mineral storage, and blood cell formation. Without our skeleton, our bodies would have no definite shape. The skeleton protects the internal organs. For example, the skull protects the brain.

    What are the 4 main functions of muscles? ›

    Four functions of muscle contraction are movement, posture, joint stability, and heat production.

    What are the 6 functions of the skeletal system quizlet? ›

    The six main functions of the skeletal system are: Support, protection, assistance in movement, mineral homeostasis (storage and release), blood cell production (red bone marrow) and triglyceride storage (yellow bone marrow).

    Where are 206 bones in our body? ›

    The axial skeleton, comprising the spine, chest and head, contains 80 bones. The appendicular skeleton, comprising the arms and legs, including the shoulder and pelvic girdles, contains 126 bones, bringing the total for the entire skeleton to 206 bones.

    What are the 3 types of human skeleton? ›

    There are three different skeletal system designs in nature to support and protect the organs within the body, which include a hydrostatic skeleton, exoskeleton, and endoskeleton. These three types are described here.

    Why is skeleton important? ›

    The skeleton is an important organ for the support of the body and for the attachment of muscles and tendons, as well as body movement. The skeleton protects the organs of the cranial and thoracic cavities from injuries, and it houses and protects the bone marrow within its cavities.

    What is dog bone called? ›

    : a chew, toy, or treat for dogs that is shaped to resemble a dog bone. a rawhide/rubber dog bone.

    What are dog bones made of? ›

    Rawhide treats come from the inner layer of cow or horse hides. During manufacturing, the hides are cleaned and cut or ground. Then they're pressed into chewable dog treats of different shapes and sizes. To make them more appealing for dogs, some rawhide treats contain beef, chicken, or liver flavorings.

    What are the different types of bones in dogs? ›

    The only safe bones for dogs are raw. They are much safer than cooked bones because they don't splinter easily. There are two types of dog bones: edible and recreational raw bones.

    What structures make up the skeletal system Chapter 7? ›

    What structures make up the skeletal system? Bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons associated with bones.

    Which of the following is not a function of the skeletal system 7? ›

    So, the correct answer is 'Production of body heat.

    What sorts of structures are found in the animal skeletal system? ›

    Skeletal elements are of six principal types: hard structures, semirigid structures, connective tissue, hydrostatic structures, elastic structures, and buoyancy devices.

    What are the 4 main structures of the skeletal system? ›

    Today, we're going to look at the four main organs of the skeletal system: bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

    What is the structure of skeletal muscle animal? ›

    Skeletal muscle is comprised of a series of muscle fibers made of muscle cells. These muscle cells are long and multinucleated. At the ends of each skeletal muscle a tendon connects the muscle to bone. This tendon connects directly to the epimysium, or collagenous outer covering of skeletal muscle.

    What are the names of the structures in the skeletal system? ›

    The skeleton
    • Skull – including the jaw bone.
    • Spine – cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, sacrum and tailbone (coccyx)
    • Chest – ribs and breastbone (sternum)
    • Arms – shoulder blade (scapula), collar bone (clavicle), humerus, radius and ulna.
    • Hands – wrist bones (carpals), metacarpals and phalanges.
    • Pelvis – hip bones.

    What are the different types of skeletal structures? ›

    Types of Skeletal Designs

    There are three different skeleton designs that provide organisms these functions: hydrostatic skeleton, exoskeleton, and endoskeleton.

    What are the two main structures of the skeletal system? ›

    These bones can be grouped in two divisions: axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton.

    How many bones does a dog have? ›

    How many bones make up the dog's skeleton? Dogs have on average between 319 – 321 bones in their body. The main difference in the number of bones has to do with the tail length, i.e. shorter tails have fewer vertebrae than longer tails. Some breeds can also have extra bones in their hind dewclaws.

    What is the muscle structure for skeletal muscle? ›

    Structure and Function

    Each skeletal muscle consists of thousands of muscle fibers wrapped together by connective tissue sheaths. The individual bundles of muscle fibers in a skeletal muscle are known as fasciculi. The outermost connective tissue sheath surrounding the entire muscle is known as epimysium.

    What is skeletal tissue in animals? ›

    Classification of Connective Tissues
    ClassificationFunction
    Connective Tissue ProperProvides support and protection to the body
    Vascular TissueTransport of materials in the body
    Skeletal TissueIt supports the body and gives it proper shape and form

    What is the structure and function of muscle tissue in animals? ›

    Muscular tissue is a specialized tissue in animals which applies forces to different parts of the body by contraction. It is made up of thin and elongated cells called muscle fibers. It controls the movement of an organism. The cytoplasm in the muscle fibers is called sarcoplasm.

    What are some facts about animal skeletal system? ›

    The skeleton is made of a series of bones. The key feature of animals with internal skeletons is that they have a set of bones known as vertebrae which are located along the spine. Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone inside their bodies. Animals without a backbone are called invertebrates.

    Do all animals have skeletal structures? ›

    All animals have skeletons of one sort or another. Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish have bony skeletons. These skeletons come in all shapes and sizes, but they also share common features. Look at these skeletons and see how they differ from each other.

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