External Anatomy of Cows, Pigs, Chickens, Horses, and Sheep

Loin

The part of the body lying on each side of the spinal column between the hip bone and last rib.

Rump

Region of sacrum, point of rump is the highest point formed by the sacral tuber.

Hoof

The outer horny covering of the foot, which is divided into two parts called claws.

Dew claws

Two horny callosities behind the fetlock joint.

Pastern

The region below fetlock and above coronet.

Body

Comprises the chest, belly and flank.

Hock

The complex joint formed between lower thigh and cannon.

Poll

Located above and between the ears.

Forehead

From the poll down to the level of the eyes.

Face

From the level of the eyes downward to the nostrils.

Bridge of nose

Area of nasal bone.

Nostrils

Two natural openings for breathing.

Stifle

The first joint below the hips on the hind leg.

Dewlap

Beneath the lower jaw or neck.

Muzzle

Above the upper lip.

Tail head

Where the tail joins the rump.

Cannon

The portion between the knee joint and fetlock joint.

Coffin

Bottommost bone in the front and rear legs.

Elbow

Found where its leg meets with the torso.

Rear flank

Located just below the loin.

Fore flank

Located the front portion of the ribs.

Fetlock

Joint above the pastern.

Brisket

It comes from the breast/pectoral area.

Male reproductive system

Sheath (prepuce) - flap of skin in the abdominal region.

Female reproductive system

Naval flap - loose skin below the abdomen.

Udder

Mammary gland.

Teats

Where milk is drawn.

Milk well

Where the milk vein enters into the abdominal wall.

Milk vein

A large vein visible under the skin on the belly of the cow. It passes along the abdominal wall.

Forearm

The forearm is located above the knee and is the thickest part of the front leg before entering the chest.

Fore Flank/Fore Rib

The fore flank or fore rib is located on the front portion of the ribs. This portion of the chest cavity should be one of the widest parts of the pig's chest.

Belly / Ribs

The belly and ribs are located just behind the shoulders and elbow pocket.

Knee

The knee is located just above the dewclaws and just below the elbow pocket.

Underline

The underline is the collection of teats where a litter of pigs will nurse their mother.

Dewclaws (Pig)

The dewclaws are the smaller appendages on the back of the pig's legs, located above the hooves.

Pasterns (Pig)

The pasterns are located just below the dewclaws and above the pig's hooves.

Neck

The neck is located just behind the ears and in front of the shoulder.

Ears

The ears are located just above the eyes and in front of the neck.

Eyes

The eyes are located on the face and below the ears.

Snout (Nose)

The snout of the pig is located by the mouth.

Jowl

The jowl is located underneath the snout and is sometimes referred to as the pig's chin.

Elbow Pocket

The elbow pocket is located above the forearm and behind the shoulder.

Stifle Muscle

The stifle muscle is the muscle used to move the pig's rear legs.

Ham

The ham is the cut of meat located below the tail and above the hocks.

Tail

The size and placement of the tail can vary from breed to breed and pig to pig.

Ham Loin Junction

The ham loin junction is the place where the ham and loin come together.

Shoulder

The shoulder is located behind the neck and in front of the ribs.

Chine Bone

This is the bone located between the shoulder blades of the pig.

Hackle

Feathers around the neck. Hackle feathers are raised when they feel threatened or want to intimidate a fellow chicken.

Wattle

Two fleshy coloured, featherless fleshy folds of skin hanging below the beak. This also helps to cool birds down.

Cape

Narrow feathers between a chicken's neck and back. It is primarily for display and also serves to cool the bird down.

Back

The area of the thoracic vertebrae.

Saddle

The part behind the back reaching up to the tail.

Main Tail Feathers

They are the feathers located at the posterior or caudal part, and they point upwards. Used for balance and flying.

Sickle Feather

In a rooster's tail and is the main long feather in the tail.

Spur

Bony protuberance on the inside of the cock's shank, not developed in female fowl. It is an effective weapon for protecting a flock from predators.

Claw

Also known as a talon, projects backward from the ankle. It is used for scratching.

Comb

It is the fleshy attachment on the top part of the chicken's head, and it is usually red. This serves as a cooling system.

Toes

Each foot has four toes, three toes point forward while one points backward for balancing purposes.

Gaskin

The large muscle in the hind leg, just above the hock and below the stifle.

Girth

The area right behind the elbow of the horse.

Point of Hip

The bony protrusion above the flank and below the croup.

Barrel

The body of the horse, enclosing major organs and the rib cage.

Cannon/Cannon Bone

The area between the knee and or hock and the fetlock joint, also commonly known as the "shin" of the horse, when in reality it is the third metacarpal.

Chestnut

A callosity on the inside of each of the horse's legs.

Chin Groove

An area that dips down slightly on the lower jaw, behind the lower lip and chin.

Flank

Where the hind legs and barrel meet - specifically the area right behind.

Throat latch

The point at which the windpipe meets the head at the underside of the jaw.

Withers

The highest point of the thoracic vertebrae, just above the tops of the shoulder blades.

Heel

Back side of the hoof.

Mare (Female)

Females are usually shorter than males of the same breed. Have thinner necks compared to males. Female genitals (Vagina, Vulva etc.) Two mammary glands & Two Teats.

Stallion (Male)

Taller than mares. Male Genitals (Penis, Testes etc.) Thicker necks than females.

Foreshank

The front part of the shoulder as well as part of the leg.

Dewclaw

Gives them the ability to climb on rocks with a secure foothold.

Hock (Sheep)

The joint between the tarsal bones and tibia.

Tail (Sheep)

To protect the sheep's anus, vulva, and udder.

Hip Bone

The cartilage of this is transformed into a flexible ligament late in pregnancy.

Ewe

Female sheep often have horns as well. Female sheep also have two teats.

Breast

Provides the nourishment of the young.