Chapter 1 - Intro to Anatomy and Phisiology

Anatomy

form and structure of the body and its parts

Physiology

functions of the body and its parts

Microscopic Anatomy

(aka histology) deals with structures so small we need a microscope to see them clearly

Macroscopic Anatomy

gross anatomy - deals with body parts large enough to be seen with an unaided eye

Regional Anatomy

All regions of the body (cells, tissues, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, organs etc.)

Systematic Anatomy

The nervous system and the skeletal system as separate topics

Sagittal Plane

plane that runs the length of the body and divides it into left and right parts that are not necessarily equal halves

Median Plane

plane that runs down the center of the body and divides each portion into equal left and right halves

Transverse Plane

A plane across the body that divides it into cranial (head-end) and caudal (tail-end) parts that are not necessarily equal

Dorsal Plane

A plane at right angles to the sagittal and transverse planes. Divides the body into dorsal (towards animal’s back) and ventral (toward the belly)

Cranial

towards the head

Rostral

toward the tip of the nose (head only)

Caudal

Toward the tail end of the body

Dorsal

Toward the back

Ventral

Toward the belly

Medial

Toward the median plane

Lateral

Away from the median plane

Deep

Toward the center (whole body or part)

Superficial (external)

toward the surface (whole body or part)

Proximal

Toward the body (extremity)

Distal

Away from the body (extremity)

Palmar

“Back” of forelimb from carpus distally

Plantar

“Back” of hindlimb from tarsus distally

Dorsal

“Front” of forelimb and hindlimb from carpus and tarsus distally

Barrel

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

Brisket

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

Cannon

Large metacarpal or metatarsal bone of hoofed animals

Fetlock

joint between cannon bone 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

Pastern

Area of the proximal phalanx of hoofed animals

Poll

Top of the head between the bases of the ears

Stifle

Femorotibial/femoropatella joint - equivalent to human knee

Tailhead

Dorsal part of the base of the tail

Withers

Area dorsal to scapulas

Dorsal Body Cavity

-contains the brain and spinal cord

-contains the cranial cavity (cranium) and the spinal cavity (spinal canal)

Ventral Body Cavity

-contains the soft organs (viscera)

-divided into the thorax (cranial thoracic cavity) and the abdomen (caudal abdominal cavity)

Epithelial Tissue

-composed only of cells

-covers and protects (surfaces)

-secretes (glands)

-absorbs (intestinal lining)

Connective Tissue

-composed of living cells and nonliving intercellular substances

-binds cells and structures together and supports the body

Muscle Tissue

-moves the body inside and out - three types: skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle

Skeletal Muscle

moves the bones of the skeleton and is under conscious nervous system control (voluntary)

Cardiac Muscle

makes up the heart and works “automatically”

Smooth Muscle

found in internal organs such as the digestive tract and urinary bladder (involuntary)

Nervous Tissue

transmits information around the body and controls body functions