The proximal phalanx is commonly known as which of the following?

The proximal phalanx is commonly known as which of the following?

• A. Proximal phalanx (long pastern)
• B. Intermediate phalanx (short pastern)
• C. Distal phalanx (coffin)
• D. Cannon bone

Answer: (A)

In horse limb anatomy, the bones of the toe are named by position. The proximal phalanx, the bone closest to the fetlock along the toe, is commonly called the long pastern bone because it is longer than the next bone in line. The other bones have their own common names: the middle phalanx is the short pastern, the distal phalanx is the coffin bone (inside the hoof), and the cannon bone refers to the large metacarpal/metatarsal bone proximal to the fetlock, not a phalanx. So the proximal phalanx is the long pastern.

In horse limb anatomy, the bones of the toe are named by position. The proximal phalanx, the bone closest to the fetlock along the toe, is commonly called the long pastern bone because it is longer than the next bone in line. The other bones have their own common names: the middle phalanx is the short pastern, the distal phalanx is the coffin bone (inside the hoof), and the cannon bone refers to the large metacarpal/metatarsal bone proximal to the fetlock, not a phalanx. So the proximal phalanx is the long pastern.