General Veterinary Anatomy Overview

General Veterinary Anatomy

• Anatomy is the science of the form and structures of all organisms.
• The word "anatomy" literally means to cut apart.

Aims of the Course

• The course provides knowledge of common veterinary anatomical and embryological terms.
• It covers the locomotor system of domestic animals.
• The course explains the origin and development of the mammalian organism.
• It includes basic knowledge of general embryology.
• It covers congenital anomalies and morphological defects present at birth.
• It discusses methods of comparative limb bone anatomy.

Classification of Anatomy

• There are 30 subdivisions of anatomy.
• Gross/macroscopic anatomy is based on the dissection of animal cadavers; structures visible without aid.
• General anatomy describes the principles of body structures.
• Special anatomy details the structures of specific species or organs.
• Comparative anatomy studies various species, emphasizing characteristics for classification.
• Applied anatomy uses anatomical facts to help clinicians with investigations, diagnoses, and surgical approaches.
• Instrumental anatomy uses tools like X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, and MRI for diagnostic purposes.
• Embryology studies developmental anatomy from conception to birth.
• Morphology studies the form, position, and development of body structures (includes anatomy, histology, and developmental anatomy).

Methods for Approaching (Performing) Anatomy

• Systematic anatomy studies organs working together in body systems.
• Topographical/regional anatomy investigates a specific body area, its structures, and relationships.
• Applied anatomy applies anatomical facts to living animals.

Nomenclatures of Body Systems

• Different body systems have specific names of study and associated structures and body parts.

Anatomical Terminology

• Terms are used to precisely define position and direction of body parts.
• Terms apply to quadrupedal animals in ordinary stance.

Body Planes

• Median/midsagittal/longitudinal plane divides the body into equal right and left halves.
• Sagittal/paramedian plane is parallel to the median plane.
• Transverse/segmental/horizontal plane lies at right angles to the median plane, dividing the body into cranial and caudal segments.
• Frontal/horizontal/coronal plane is perpendicular to the median and transverse planes, dividing the body into dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower) sections.

Descriptive Terms of the Skeletal System

• Bone surfaces have eminences(projections), depressions (cavities), and foramina.
• Cavities or projections can be articular (for joints) or non-articular (for muscle attachment).
• Non-articular parts provide attachment for muscles, tendons, fascia, and ligaments.

Non-articular Projections

• Processes, tuberosities, tubercles, trochanters, spines/spinous processes, crests, lines, epicondyles, hamulus, malleolus are types of non-articular projections on bones.

Articular Projections

• Head, condyle, trochlea, facet are types of articular projections on bones.

Non-articular Depressions

• Fossa, fovea, groove/sulcus, foramen/foramina, fissure, canal, meatus, alveolus are types of non-articular depressions in bones.

Articular Depressions

• Glenoid cavity, acetabulum/cotyloid cavity, notch are types of articular depressions on bones.

Terms Applied to the Limbs

• Proximal refers to parts closer to the body trunk.
• Distal refers to parts away from the body trunk.
• Axial surface of a digit faces the axis (center line); the abaxial surface faces opposite the axis. (i.e. directionally away from the central line)

Planes of Head and Limbs

• Specific planes exist for the head and limbs that are relevant when discussing anatomical structures and positions.