Anatomy of Domestic Animals - VOCABULARY Flashcards (ANSC 301, Fall 2025)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on anatomy, planes, directional terms, tissues, cells, and organs.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body parts.

Gross anatomy

Identification by unaided visual means (naked eye).

Microscopic anatomy

Identification by aided visual means (microscope).

Extensor digitorum lateralis (lateral digital extensor)

Latin name (NAV) for the lateral digital extensor; English equivalent: lateral digital extensor.

Median plane

Divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into unequal portions; parallel to the median plane.

Transverse plane

Right angle to the median plane; divides the body into cranial and caudal parts; crosses an organ at right angle to its long axis.

Dorsal plane

Right angles to both the median and transverse planes; divides the body into dorsal and ventral segments.

Cranial

Direction toward the head; anterior.

Caudal

Direction toward the tail; posterior.

Rostral

Part of the head closer to the nose.

Palmar

Caudal surface of the forelimb, distal to the carpus; the cranial side is dorsal.

Plantar

Caudal surface of the hindlimb, distal to the tarsus; the cranial side is dorsal.

Proximal

Toward the attachment of the appendage to the body.

Distal

Away from the attachment to the body.

Medial

Toward the median plane.

Lateral

Away from the median plane.

Axial

Closer to the longitudinal axis.

Abaxial

Away from the longitudinal axis.

Peripheral

Distant from the point of origin; near the surface of the body.

External

Closer to the outer surface of a structure.

Internal

Closer to the center of a structure.

Superficial

Toward the surface.

Deep

Toward the center of the body or a body part.

Endothelium

Lining that looks like simple squamous epithelium but lines the heart, blood vessels and lymph vessels.

Epithelium

Avascular tissue that often covers surfaces or lines cavities; forms membranes.

Mesothelium

Membranes lining serous body cavities.

Basement membrane

Structural support for epithelium; acts as a molecular filter and regulates cell migration, regeneration and interactions.

Simple squamous epithelium

Single layer of flat cells; allows diffusion.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells.

Simple columnar epithelium

Single layer of tall, column-shaped cells; may have microvilli; lines some tracts (e.g., digestive tract).

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Appears stratified due to varying cell heights; all cells contact the basement membrane.

Stratified squamous epithelium, keratinized

Multiple layers with keratin; protects and minimizes fluid loss.

Stratified squamous epithelium, non-keratinized

Wet surfaces with multiple cell layers (e.g., oral cavity, esophagus).

Transitional epithelium

Found in the urinary bladder; structure changes with stretching.

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Usually two layers; found in ducts of glands; not very common.

Stratified columnar epithelium

Usually two layers; found in ducts and tubules; not very common.

Connective tissue

Tissues that support, connect or separate tissues/organs; derived from mesoderm; composed of fibers, cells, and matrix; can be loose or dense.

Loose connective tissue

Low fiber density with spaces that may contain fat or fluid; fibroblasts produce intercellular substance.

Dense connective tissue

High density of fibers; two types: regular and irregular.

Dense regular connective tissue

High density of collagen fibers in parallel bundles; found in tendons, ligaments, aponeuroses; cell type: fibroblasts.

Dense irregular connective tissue

Collagen fibers oriented in many directions; found in dermis, periosteum, joint capsules.

Collagenous fibers

The most abundant type of connective tissue fiber.

Elastic fibers

Elastic fibers in connective tissue.

Reticular fibers

Reticular fibers in connective tissue.

Fibroblasts

Cells that synthesize intercellular matrix in connective tissue.

Adipose tissue

Fat tissue; stores energy as fat.

Fascia

Collagenous connective tissue that holds the body together; includes superficial fascia between skin and muscles; site for injections.

Superficial fascia

Subcutaneous tissue between skin and underlying structures.

Endosomes

Endosomal compartments where pH drops during maturation; contain proton pumps to acidify contents.

Lysosomes

Organelles with hydrolytic enzymes; intracellular digestion; pH around 5.0.

Peroxisomes

Contain oxidative enzymes (e.g., catalase) for detoxification and production of reactive species.

Proteasomes

Barrel-shaped organelles that degrade ubiquitin-tagged cytosolic proteins.

Cytoskeleton

Network that preserves cell shape, anchors organelles, and enables movement; includes microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.

Cilia

Hair-like motile extensions that beat in waves; line the trachea and oviduct; composed of microtubules (9+2 axoneme).

Flagella

Longer than cilia; usually 1–2 per cell; propel the cell.

Stereocilia

Long, non-motile, actin-based extensions found in the ductus deferens, epididymis and inner ear.

Nucleus

Largest cellular structure; control center of the cell; contains nuclear membrane, nucleolus, and chromatin.

Nuclear membrane

Double membrane; outer membrane continuous with the ER; contains nuclear pores; lumens continuous with ER.

Nucleolus

Site of rRNA synthesis and ribosomal protein assembly.

Chromatin

DNA complexed with histones within the nucleus.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; double-stranded polynucleotide with purine and pyrimidine bases.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; nucleic acid used in transcription and translation (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA).

Histones

Proteins that package DNA into chromatin.

Chromosomes

DNA wrapped around histone proteins; carriers of genetic information.

Plasma membrane

Thin phospholipid bilayer surrounding the cell; hydrophilic heads outward, hydrophobic tails inward; contains proteins.

Microvilli

Finger-like projections on the cell surface that increase surface area; core of actin.

Meissner's corpuscle

Tactile receptor in the dermal papilla for light touch.

Hair follicle

Structure from which hair grows, containing the hair root.

Arrector Pili muscle

Smooth muscle that elevates hair; causes 'goose bumps'.

Hair shaft

Part of the hair that extends above the skin surface.

Hair root

Part of the hair located within the hair follicle.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of skin.

Sebaceous gland

Oil-producing gland associated with hair follicles.

Basement membrane

Structural support for epithelium; acts as a selective barrier and regulator of cell migration.