VETS2001 Small Animal Health - Topographical Anatomy and Clinical Examination

Anatomical Terminology

  • Directional terms describe body directions, reference planes, cavities, and regions.
  • Terms come in opposing pairs (e.g., East/West, North/South).
  • Used to precisely describe structure locations relative to landmarks.

Planes of Reference

  • Dorsal plane: Divides body into ventral/dorsal portions.
  • Median plane: Divides body into equal right and left sides.
  • Transverse plane: Divides body into cranial/caudal portions.

Anatomical Directional Terms

  • Cranial: Toward the head.
  • Caudal: Away from the head.
  • Rostral: Within the head, toward the muzzle.
  • Ventral: Nearer to the front/stomach side of the body.
  • Dorsal: Nearer to the back of the body.
  • Medial: Nearer to the midline.
  • Lateral: Farther from the midline.
  • Proximal: Nearer to the point of origin or the body.
  • Distal: Farther from the point of origin or away from the body.
  • Palmar: Caudal surface of forelimb below the carpus.
  • Plantar: Caudal surface of hindlimb below the tarsus.

Skeletal Anatomy

  • Skull: Consists of 37-38 bones, excluding the mandible, joined by sutures.
  • Vertebrae:
    • Cervical: 7
    • Thoracic: 13
    • Lumbar: 7
    • Sacral: 3 (fused)
    • Coccygeal: Variable

Malocclusion

  • Class II (Mandibular Brachygnathism): Mandible is too short relative to the maxilla.
  • Class III (Mandibular Protrusion): Mandible is too long relative to the maxilla.

Important Landmarks

  • Lymph Nodes: Superficial lymph nodes are palpable and may enlarge with disease.
  • Body Cavities: Thoracic, Abdominal, Pelvic
  • Chest (Thorax): Ribs, costal cartilage, costochondral junctions, sternum.
  • Heart Auscultation: Aortic, Pulmonic, Mitral, Tricuspid Valve.
  • Abdomen: Contains digestive tract, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenal gland, reproductive organs.
  • Pelvis: Contains urinary bladder, pelvic colon, rectum.
  • Urinary Bladder: Sits in the pelvis, can be palpated when full.

Anatomical Directions

  • Cranial: toward the head
  • Palmer: The caudal surface of the forelimb below the carpus is known as the surface
  • Ventral: The stomach side of a dog is called the surface
  • Caudal: The tail is to the head
  • Dorsal: The spine is to the belly

Radiography Positioning

  • Lateral Thorax: Forelimbs extended cranially, sternum and spine equidistant to table, take the x-ray on PEAK INSPIRATION
  • Lateral Elbow: Pad under the shoulder, extend opposite leg caudally, sandbag distal antebrachium to hold elbow joint at approximately 90 degrees