Introduction to Comparative Anatomy

Comparative Anatomy

study of the similarities and differences in vertebrate structure and function

Anatomy

branch of compana that focuses on the structure or part

Physiology

branch of compana that focuses on the function

Morphology

physical structures and traits that we can observe with the naked eyes; structural evolution

Taxonomy

classification of organisms by determining the: (DKPCOFGS) Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Ecology

relationship between organisms and their environment

Paleontology

fossils; historical record of past anatomy of animals

Genetics

genetic variations and passing of traits from parent to the offspring of living organisms

Evolution

changes, modification, adaptation in the body of an organism over time

Zoogeography

animal or species distribution depending on the location

Dorsal

back or upper side

Ventral

front or under side

Lateral

sides, right and left; away from the center

Anterior, Cephalic or Cranial

the head end of the animal; upper portion of the body

Posterior or Caudal

lower end of the body or tail end

Median or Central

center of the animal body; part of a system nearest the middle

Peripheral

the part nearest the surface; located toward the outer edge or periphery of a structure or organ system

Proximal

near the main mass (chest, abdomen) of the body → thigh

Distal

far from the main mass of the body → toes

Superficial

on or near the surface of the body

Deep

some distance below the surface; innermost portion of the superficial part

Superior

higher, above (upper portion)

Inferior

lower, below (lower portion)

Plantar

feet

Mean / Sagittal Plane

divides the body into left and right

Frontal Plane

divides the body into dorsal and ventral

Transverse / Cross plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior

Spherical Symmetry

observed in round shaped organisms; divides the body into equal parts

Radial Symmetry

observed in actinomorphic flowers; equal segments but not the same parts for each division

Bilateral Symmetry

division of the body into left and right (sagittal plane)

Metamerism / Segmentation

metamere, somite, or segment = refers to each segment

Homology

body parts that don't look the same but are same in origin

Analogy

resemble each other in appearance but different in origin

Homonomous

segmentation with equal division

Heteronomous

segmentation with unequal division

• Bilateral Symmetry

• Internal or Marked Heteronomous Segmentation

• High Degree of Cephalization

Characteristics of Vertebrates