Lesson 5: Animal Body Parts and Body Regions

head

the most forward (anterior/cranial) or highest part of a structure or organism. in vertebrates, it contains the oral and nasal passage, the brain, and the organs of special sense.

neck

the neck is that part of the body connecting the head with the trunk. it contains the trachea, esophagus, blood vessels, spinal cord, and cervical vertebrae. both the mouse and the giraffe have seven cervical vertebrae, as do most mammals.

trunk

the main part of the body to which the head and limbs are attached (torso in human anatomy. the trunk contains the viscera (organs) of the different body systems. the trunk is mainly divided into the thorax (thoracic region), the abdomen (abdominal region), and the pelvis (pelvic region).

thorax (thoracic region)

the part of the body between the neck and abdomen; the chest. it is separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm. the walls of the thorax are formed by pairs of ribs, attached to the sides of the spine and curving toward the sternum. it contains the thoracic cavity and organs of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

abdomen (abdominal region)

the portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis containing the abdominal cavity and organs of the digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. the wall of the abdomen is mainly formed by the muscles.

pelvis (pelvic region)

the caudal portion of the trunk of the body forming a basin. it mainly contains the pelvic cavity and organs of the digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.

appendages

usually a projecting part of an animal body that is typically smaller and of less functional important than the main part to which it is attached. the limbs (fore and hind) are examples of the appendages. (note: appendages have parts that cover part of the main truck i.e. shoulder covers part of the thorax) TAIL IS NOT AN APPENDAGE!

muzzle

the part of the head in front of the eyes: nasal bones, nostril, and jaws. foreface

stop

an indentation between the eyes where the nasal bones and cranium meet

occiput (poll in large animals)

top point of the skull, area between the ears/horns

cushion

fullness or thickness of the upper lips

flews

upper lip pendulous, particularly at their inner corners. (note: breeds with flews drool more i.e. bloodhounds, newfoundlands, mastiffs, and saint bernards)

chop

jowls or pendulous flesh of the lips and jaw

forelimb (aka pectoral limb)

from top to bottom (proximal to distal). the forelimb is divided into four regions

shoulder

part closely attached to the thorax; it contains the scapula

arm/brachium

the part below the shoulder which contains the humerus bone

forearm/antebrachium

the part below the brachium containing the bones radius and ulna

manus

the forelimb part including the carpus of the animal. it contains the carpal and metacarpal bones and bones of the digits

hindlimb (pelvic limb)

from top to bottom the hindlimb is divided into three regions.

thigh

the region where the femur bone is located

leg/crus/gaskin

the part of the hindlimb that is below the thigh. it encloses the tibia and fibula

pes/crus/gaskin

the lowest part of the hindlimb from tarsus, it contains that tarsal and metatarsal bones and bones of the digits

pectoral region

includes the girth along the chest of the animal, thoracic walls, and the brisket region

cranial abdominal region

includes the backward part of the thoracic wall, the left and right hypochondriac region; and area of the belly behind the sternum up to the umbilicus, which is called the xiphoid region

middle abdominal region

includes part of the belly behind the umbilicus (scar formed after cutting the umbilicus) which is the umbilical region and left and right lateral abdominal regions from belly to the back and loin

caudal abdominal region

includes part of the belly just before the pelvis, the pubic region. the left and right inguinal regions are located on both sides of the pubic region

brisket

chest, usually refers to the sternum, but in some standards, it refers to the entire thorax

withers

highest point of a dog's (an animal's) shoulders

back

the part of a dog's (animal's) body extending from the withers to the croup

croup

the region of the pelvic girdle, formed by the sacrum and surrounding tissue (rump/buttocks/hips)

loin

area between the last rib and croup, behind the back

flank

the side of the body between the last rib and the hip

paralumbar fossa

area slightly above the flank, both sides of the loin