Vtt 254 – Equine Medicine And Nursing | Final Exam Questions And Correct Answers | 2026/2027

VTT 254 – EQUINE MEDICINE AND NURSING | FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026/2027




VTT 254: EQUINE
FINAL




1. The joint in the equine hindlimb that corresponds to the human knee is
the:
A. Stifle
B. Hock
C. Fetlock
D. Coffin joint
ANSWER : A. Stifle
Explanation: The stifle joint is the equivalent of the knee and contains
the patella.
2. The equine carpus is homologous to the human:
A. Ankle
B. Elbow
C. Wrist
D. Knee
ANSWER : C. Wrist
Explanation: The carpus is the forelimb joint commonly called the
horse's knee, but it is anatomically a wrist.




VTT 254 Equine Final Examination | Page 1 of 51

,3. The point of the hock is formed by the:
A. Talus
B. Patella
C. Tibia
D. Calcaneus
ANSWER : D. Calcaneus
Explanation: The tuber calcanei of the calcaneus forms the point of the
hock.
4. How many cervical vertebrae does the horse have?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 9
D. 7
ANSWER : D. 7
Explanation: Like most mammals, horses have seven cervical vertebrae.
5. The horse typically has how many thoracic vertebrae?
A. 12
B. 14
C. 20
D. 18
ANSWER : D. 18
Explanation: Eighteen thoracic vertebrae, each with a pair of ribs, is the
normal count.
6. Which organ is absent in the horse?
A. Spleen
B. Gallbladder
C. Cecum
D. Pancreas
ANSWER : B. Gallbladder
Explanation: Bile flows continuously from the liver because the horse
has no gallbladder.




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,7. The distal phalanx (P3) is also known as the:
A. Short pastern bone
B. Navicular bone
C. Coffin bone
D. Cannon bone
ANSWER : C. Coffin bone
Explanation: P3 sits inside the hoof capsule and is called the coffin bone.
8. The navicular bone is also called the:
A. Proximal sesamoid bone
B. Distal sesamoid bone
C. Accessory carpal bone
D. Third tarsal bone
ANSWER : B. Distal sesamoid bone
Explanation: The navicular bone lies behind the coffin joint and is the
distal sesamoid.
9. Which tendon lies most superficially on the palmar side of the cannon
region?
A. Deep digital flexor tendon
B. Common digital extensor tendon
C. Lateral digital extensor tendon
D. Superficial digital flexor tendon
ANSWER : D. Superficial digital flexor tendon
Explanation: The SDFT is the most superficial flexor tendon and the one
most often injured in racehorses.
10. The main function of the suspensory apparatus is to:
A. Lock the stifle joint
B. Flex the carpus
C. Support the fetlock and prevent hyperextension
D. Anchor the patella
ANSWER : C. Support the fetlock and prevent hyperextension
Explanation: The suspensory ligament and sesamoids keep the fetlock
from dropping during weight bearing.




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, 11. The splint bones are the:
A. First and third metacarpal bones
B. Third and fifth metatarsal bones
C. Second and fourth metacarpal or metatarsal bones
D. Proximal phalanges
ANSWER : C. Second and fourth metacarpal or metatarsal bones
Explanation: They are vestigial bones lying either side of the large third
metacarpal or metatarsal.
12. Chestnuts and ergots are best described as:
A. Bony projections
B. Cornified epidermal structures
C. Sweat glands
D. Cartilaginous nodules
ANSWER : B. Cornified epidermal structures
Explanation: Both are keratinised skin structures with no bone core.
13. The approximate stomach capacity of an adult horse is:
A. 8 to 15 litres
B. 1 to 2 litres
C. 30 to 40 litres
D. 60 to 80 litres
ANSWER : A. 8 to 15 litres
Explanation: The stomach is small relative to body size, which is why
frequent small meals suit horses.
14. The main site of microbial fermentation in the horse is the:
A. Stomach
B. Cecum and large colon
C. Small intestine
D. Rectum
ANSWER : B. Cecum and large colon
Explanation: Hindgut bacteria ferment fibre into volatile fatty acids.




VTT 254 Equine Final Examination | Page 4 of 51