Comprehensive Veterinary Anatomy I – Practice Flashcards

50 question-and-answer flashcards covering key anatomical facts, terminology, structures, and functions from VMED 101 lecture notes to aid veterinary students’ exam preparation.

What are the three main divisions of the skeletal system in dogs?

Axial, Appendicular, and Splanchnic/Visceral skeletons.

Which bone is classified as a splanchnic (visceral) bone in the dog?

Os penis (baculum).

Give the vertebral formula for the domestic dog.

C7 T13 L7 S3 Cd(≈20).

Which cervical vertebra is known as the "yes-joint" with the skull?

The atlas (C1) at the atlanto-occipital joint.

Which cervical vertebra is referred to as the "no-joint" with the skull?

The axis (C2) at the atlanto-axial joint.

What is the anticlinal vertebra in the dog’s thoracic series?

The 11th thoracic vertebra (T11).

Name the largest sesamoid bone in the canine body.

The patella (kneecap).

Which gland is the main thermoregulatory skin gland in domestic animals?

Apocrine gland.

List two keratinized appendages derived from canine skin.

Hair (pili) and claws (unguiculae).

What is the toughest, thickest region of canine skin called?

The torus (digital pads / footpads).

Which movements occur at a hinge (ginglymus) joint?

Flexion and extension with limited rotation.

Give an example of a ball-and-socket (spheroidal) joint in the dog.

Hip joint (coxofemoral joint).

What type of joint is formed between the distal radius and ulna in the dog?

A trochoid (pivot) joint allowing rotation (pronation/supination).

Name the fibro-elastic sheets between vertebral arches.

Yellow (interarcuate) ligaments.

Which ligament prevents over-abduction of the stifle and lies medially?

The medial (tibial) collateral ligament.

What is the large synovial cavity between the scapula and humerus called?

The shoulder (glenohumeral) joint.

Which ligament of the femur attaches in the acetabular fossa and secures the femoral head?

Ligament of the head of the femur (round ligament).

Where is red marrow collected throughout life in the dog?

From the sternum (sternebrae).

Which artery passes through the nutrient foramen of long bones?

The nutrient artery.

Name the cranial and caudal extremities of the scapula.

Cranial angle and caudal angle.

What term describes air cavities within certain skull bones?

Sinuses.

Which skin gland in dogs secretes sebum for waterproofing?

Sebaceous (holocrine) gland.

What muscle forms the bulk of the canine tongue and allows protrusion?

Genioglossus muscle.

Identify the serous membrane that lines the thoracic cavity.

Parietal pleura (with visceral pleura covering lungs).

Which nerve innervates the diaphragm?

Phrenic nerve (C5–C7).

Define "cisterna chyli."

Dilated lymph sac at the origin of the thoracic duct collecting intestinal lymph.

What is the main organ of both exocrine and endocrine pancreas?

The pancreas (exocrine: pancreatic juice; endocrine: insulin).

Which fetal shunt bypasses the liver to reach the caudal vena cava?

Ductus venosus.

Name the fetal opening allowing blood flow from right to left atrium.

Foramen ovale.

Which cranial nerve is purely sensory for smell?

Cranial Nerve I – Olfactory nerve.

Which cranial nerve supplies the lateral rectus and retractor bulbi muscles?

Cranial Nerve VI – Abducens nerve.

What is the term for the thickened triangular area inside the bladder neck?

Trigone of the bladder.

Which hormone-secreting cells form after ovulation in the ovary?

Lutein cells of the corpus luteum.

Which ligament attaches the ovary to the uterine horn?

Proper ligament of the ovary.

Name the erectile tissue that surrounds the male urethra.

Corpus spongiosum penis.

What is the fluid-filled space between arachnoid and pia mater?

Subarachnoid space containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Which structure produces CSF within the ventricles?

Choroid plexus.

List the three ossicles of the canine middle ear from lateral to medial.

Malleus, incus, stapes.

What is the transparent anterior part of the fibrous tunic of the eye?

Cornea.

Which part of the inner ear is responsible for balance (equilibrium)?

Semicircular ducts (with vestibule and utricle/saccule).

State the pathway of aqueous humor drainage from anterior chamber.

Through iridocorneal angle → trabecular meshwork → scleral venous sinus.

Which nasal concha forms the "nasal conchal crest" and aids olfaction?

Ethmoidal concha (ethmoturbinates).

Name the main lymphatic duct returning lymph to the venous angle.

Thoracic duct (left venous angle).

Which spinal ligaments run between adjacent spinous processes?

Interspinous ligaments.

What type of muscle fiber is rich in mitochondria and supports endurance?

Slow-twitch (red, Type I) fibers.

Which large superficial muscle retracts the forelimb and draws the trunk forward?

Latissimus dorsi.

What movement is produced by the crico-arytenoideus dorsalis muscle?

Abduction (opening) of the rima glottidis.

Identify the main branch of the aorta that supplies forelimb and head on the right side.

Brachiocephalic trunk.

Which portal vein tributary drains the small intestine?

Cranial mesenteric vein.