Animal Anatomy: Common Regional Terms

Barrel

Trunk of the body- formed by the rib cage and the abdomen.

Brisket

Area at the base of the neck between the front legs that covers the cranial end of the sternum.

Cannon

Large metacarpal or metatarsal bone of hoofed animals

Fetlock 

Joint between the cannon bone (large metacarpal/metatarsal) and the proximal phalanx of hoofed animals

Flank

Lateral surface of the abdomen between the last rib and the hind legs

Hock

Tarsus

Knee

Carpus of hoofed animals

Muzzle 

Rostral part of the face formed mainly by the maxillary and nasal bones 

Pastem

Area of the proximal phalanx of hoofed animals

Poll

Top of the head between the bases of the ears

Stifle

Femorotibial/femoropatellar joint- equivalent to human knee

Tailhead 

Dorsal part of the base of the tail 

Withers

Area dorsal to scapulas