VTMD101 Veterinary Anatomy I General Introduction and Anatomical Terms

The frontal plane is parallel to the dorsal and ventral surfaces.

Caudal refers to a position towards the head.

Medial means away from the median plane.

The transverse plane is at a right angle to the median plane.

Proximal in limbs means away from the body.

Abaxial refers to a position towards the axis of the digit.

The median plane divides the body into upper and lower parts.

The paramedian plane is parallel and near to the sagittal plane.

A transverse plane is perpendicular to the sagittal plane.

The frontal plane divides the body into right and left parts.

Topographic anatomy involves the study of different body systems such as Digestive and Respiratory.

Systemic anatomy refers to the practical application of anatomical knowledge.

Definition of Anatomy

Anatomy is the science that deals with the study of the structure of the body.

Branches of Anatomy

Systemic anatomy: studies body systems, e.g. digestive, respiratory, etc.
Topographic anatomy: (Regional) studies the organization of body parts in relation to each other.
Comparative anatomy: studies the differences between different animals.
Applied anatomy: deals with the practical application of anatomical knowledge.

Major Body Regions

No specific information provided in the text.

Anatomical Planes

Median plane: a vertical plane dividing the body into two equal parts; right and left.
Paramedian plane: parallel and near to the median plane.
Sagittal plane: parallel and distant to the median plane.
Transverse plane: any plane perpendicular to the long axis.
Frontal (dorsal) plane: parallel to the dorsal surface, dividing the body into dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower) parts.

Anatomical Directional Terms

Cranial: toward the head.
Caudal: toward the tail.
Rostral: toward the tip of the nose (used in head only).
Dorsal: toward the vertebral column (back).
Ventral: toward the belly (bottom).
Medial: toward the median plane.
Lateral: away from the median plane.
Superficial (external): toward the surface (skin).
Deep (internal) or profundus: toward the center of the body.
In the limbs:
- Proximal: toward the body.
- Distal: away from the body.
- Fore Limb:
  - Above the Carpus: cranial and caudal used.
  - Below the Carpus: dorsal and palmar used.
- Hind Limb:
  - Above the tarsus: cranial and caudal used.
  - Below the tarsus: dorsal and plantar used.
Axial: towards the axis of the digit.
Abaxial: away from the axis of the digit.

Learn about the basic concepts of anatomy in veterinary science, including anatomical terms, directions, planes, systemic anatomy, and comparative anatomy. Dr. Karim Khalil provides an overview of the structure of the body and different body systems.