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→Joints of the Spinal Column
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==Pelvic Girdle and Hip==
The pelvis encircles the pelvic cavity and has several functions including protecting the pelvic viscera, and the reproductive and urinary organs. The pelvis is also essential in locomotion and posture. The pelvis also contains the pelvic canal which, dependant on size, can cause problems during parturition. The pelvic girdle is formed by two hip bones (''ossa coxarum'') which are joined ventrally at the cartilagenous '''pelvic symphysis''' and articulate dorsally with the sacrum. The three components of each hip bone are the '''ilium''', '''pubis''' and '''ischium'''. The bone that articulates with the hip bones to form the hip joint is the '''femur'''.
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The ilium represents the most cranial aspect of the hip which articulates with the sacrum. It extends forward via the wing of the ilium where it forms the ''sacral tuber'', although in carnivores this is not as readily palpatable as in large animals. Ventrally the wing of the ilium forms the ''tubae coxae'' where it forms the point of the hip. The outer margin of the ilium is called the ''iliac crest'' and represents an area of thickening around the rim of the ilium. The gluteus medius muscles originate at the lateral surface of the ilium. Where the wing of the ilium reaches the shaft of the ilium there is a small area that is cut away called the ''sciatic notch'' and this notch facilitates the passage of the sciatic nerve over the pelvis to the hindlimb.
=Forelimb=
=Forelimb=