Pig

Vertebral formula

• C7, T14-15, L6-7, Cd20-23

• variation common from selective breeding, Cd often removed at birth

• C2 + 7 have tall spinous processes

Spinal block site

• L6-S1

• field epidural site for emergency abdominal/hind end surgeries

Digits

• III-IV: principle weight bearing, indoor pet pigs need trimmed

• II + V: weight bearing on softer ground only

• no I

Carpal glands

• openings on palmar aspect of carpus

• function in territorial marking

Skull adaptations

• prominent rostral bone + nuchal crest for rooting

• external auditory meatus in atypical location

• no tapetum lucidum

Facial anatomy

• well developed superficial muscles

• large parotid salivary gland

• make ext. jug venipuncture difficult

Venipuncture sites

• cranial vena cava: between manubrium + point of shoulder in dorsal recumbency

• brachiocephalic v.: parallel to midline & perpendicular to pig in neck while standing, used mostly in field

• lateral auricular vv.: superficial veins in ear, used mostly in hospital

• orbital venous sinus: at medial canthus under full anesthesia, used mostly in research

Pharyngeal diverticulum

• blind pouch in caudal nasopharynx

• covered with olfactory epithelium for rooting

• can be traumatized by dosing syringes

Nasal cavity

• turbinates appear butterfly-like

• degradation caused by atrophic rhinitis

Marginal papilla

• found on lateral floor of mouth in piglets to aid attachment to mother’s teat

Tonsil of the soft palate

• found in center of distal roof of mouth

• collected in slaughter for diagnostics

Dentition

• I3, C1, P4, M3

• all permanent teeth by 18 months old

• all brachydont except canines (need trimmed in pets)

Lung lobes

• R: cranial, middle, caudal, accessory lobes

  • R cranial lobe supplied by tracheal bronchus

• L: cranial part of cranial, caudal part of cranial, caudal lobes

Gastric diverticulum

• blind pouch from fundus, no known function

• common site of ulcers

• do not mistake for aneurysm

Torus pyloricus

• mound of tissue at pyloric region

• do not mistake for tumor

Colon

• similar to ruminants

• ileocecocolic orifice from small to large intestine

• spiral ascending colon

Kidney

• lobular medulla, continuous cortex

• minor calyx → major calyx → renal pelvis

Male genitalia

• testicles sub-anal, tail of epididymis dorsal

• have (cranial to caudal) seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands

• fibroelastic penis w/sigmoid flexure & corkscrew glans

Preputial diverticulum

• blind pouch in the dorsal prepuce

• debris, urine, & secretions collect

• may be asked to remove

Female genitalia

• highly developed bicornuate uterus with tortuous horns

• elongated cervix with interdigitating papillae

• suburethral diverticulum between vagina & vestibule just caudal to urethra

Mammary glands

• 7 pairs of teats, 2 ducts/teat