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Multiple Choice

What is the scientific name for the coffin joint?

The coffin joint is the distal interphalangeal joint, which is the articulation between the middle phalanx and the distal phalanx (the coffin bone). In horses, this is the joint at the tip of the toe where P2 meets P3. That makes the distal interphalangeal joint the correct scientific name. The other joints refer to different locations: the proximal interphalangeal joint is between the proximal and middle phalanges (the pastern), and the metacarpophalangeal joint is the fetlock between the cannon/metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx.

The coffin joint is the distal interphalangeal joint, which is the articulation between the middle phalanx and the distal phalanx (the coffin bone). In horses, this is the joint at the tip of the toe where P2 meets P3. That makes the distal interphalangeal joint the correct scientific name.

The other joints refer to different locations: the proximal interphalangeal joint is between the proximal and middle phalanges (the pastern), and the metacarpophalangeal joint is the fetlock between the cannon/metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx.