Caudal vertebrae [Coccygeal]

The caudal or coccygeal vertebrae reduce in size gradually, with a graduate simplification of their form (losing arches and processes, and with a simple cylindrical shape at the end). On the ventral surfaces of caudal vertebrae in ruminants (Cd1 to 8) and carnivores (Cd 5 to 15), are paramedian processes, the hemal processes, for the protection of caudal vessels. These hemal processes sometimes fuse to form the hemal arches (ox: Cd 2-3, carnivores CD 3 to 8).

The number of caudal vertebrae differs between species:

• Dogs: C7 T13 L7 S3 Cd20
• Horses: C7 T18 L6 S5 Cd15-21
• Bovine: C7 T13 L6 S5 Cd18-20
• Ovine: C7 T13 L6-7 S4 Cd16-20
• Pigs: C7 T14-15 L6 S4 Cd20-23