Module 1 : Directional terms and body movements

• Anatomy deals with the form and structure of organisms
• Physiology is the study of the functions of the body
• Branches of Anatomy


  • Gross/Macroscopic Anatomy
  • Histology/Microscopic Anatomy
  • Cytology/Ultrastructural Anatomy
  • Topographic Anatomy
  • Applied Anatomy
  • Radiographic Anatomy
  • Pathology/Morbid Anatomy
  • Morphology/Philosophical Anatomy
  • Ontogeny/Developmental Anatomy
  • Embryology
  • Phylogeny
  • Teratology
  • Veterinary Anatomy
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Special Anatomy
  • Systematic Anatomy
• Gross/Macroscopic Anatomy


  The study of structures that can be dissected and observed with the unaided eye or with a hand lens
• Histology/Microscopic Anatomy


  The study of the microscopic structure of tissues
• Cytology/Ultrastructural Anatomy


  Concerned with the structure and function of animal cells (including the chemistry of cell)
• Topographic Anatomy


  The anatomy of one part in relation to the other parts of the body
• Applied Anatomy


  The practical applications of anatomical facts in their relation to surgery, physical diagnosis, and other practical branches
• Radiographic Anatomy


  The study of proper positioning of the animal to obtain the best radiograph
• Pathology/Morbid Anatomy


  The study of the deviation of animal condition from the normal such as when an animal becomes diseased, or its organs function improperly
• Morphology/Philosophical Anatomy


  Study of the general laws of forms and structures
• Ontogeny/Developmental Anatomy


  The study of the entire development of the individual from the oocyte to adulthood
• Embryology


  The study of the development of the individual from the zygote to adulthood
• Phylogeny


  Study of ancestral history
• Teratology


  The study of abnormal development
• Veterinary Anatomy


  Study of the structures and the principal parts of domestic animals
• Comparative Anatomy


  The comparison of structures of different animal species
• Special Anatomy


  Study of the structures of a single species
• Systematic Anatomy


  Study of structures by system
• Systematic Anatomy


  • Osteology
  • Syndesmology/Arthrology
  • Myology
  • Splanchnology
  • Angiology
  • Neurology
  • Esthesiology
  • Dermatology
  • Histochemistry
• Example of Systematic Anatomy

  • Anthropology
• Directional Terms: Plane – a surface, real or imaginary, along which any two points can be
• Branches of Anatomy


  • Systematic Anatomy
  • Splanchnology
  • Angiology
  • Neurology
  • Esthesiology
  • Dermatology
  • Histochemistry
• Directional Terms


  1. Plane – a surface, real or imaginary, along which any two points can be connected by a straight line

  2. Median plane – divides the head, body or limb longitudinally into equal right and left halves

  3. Sagittal plane – passes through the head, body or limb parallel to the median plane

  4. Transverse/Segmental plane – cuts across the head, body or limb at a right angle to its long axis or across the long axis of an organ or a part

  5. Dorsal/Frontal plane – runs at right angles to the median and transverse planes and thus divides the body or head into dorsal and ventral parts

  6. Dorsal – toward or relatively near the back and corresponding surface of the head, neck and tail; on the limbs; it applies to the upper or front surface of the carpus, tarsus, metapodium and digits

  7. Ventral – toward or relatively near the belly and corresponding surface of the head, neck, thorax and tail. This term is never used for the limbs

  8. Medial – toward or relatively near the median plane

  9. Lateral – away from or relatively farther from the median plane

  10. Cranial – toward or relatively near the head, on the limbs it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus

  11. Rostral – toward or relatively near the nose; it applies to the head only

  12. Caudal – toward or relatively near the tail; on the limbs it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus
• References: Aspinall, V., & Cappello, M. (2015). Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Textbook-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. Dyce, K.M., Sack, W.O., & Wensing, C.J.C. (1987). Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy. W.B. Saunders. Evans, H. E., & De Lahunta, A. (2016). Guide to the Dissection of the Dog E-Book (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. McCracken, T. O., & Kainer, R. A. (2013). Color atlas of small animal anatomy: the essentials. John Wiley & Sons
• Learning outcomes


  1. Familiarize the terminologies used to describe the organs and appendages

  2. Locate the main cavities of the animal body

  3. Enumerate the different layers of the thorax and abdomen
• Description of organs and appendages

  1. Internal/Inner – close to, or in the direction of, the center of a hollow organ, body cavity or structure

  2. External/Outer – away from the center of a hollow organ or structure

  3. Superficial – relatively near the surface of the body or the surface of a solid organ

  4. Deep – relatively near the center of the body or the center of a solid organ

  5. Proximal – relatively near the main mass or origin; in the limbs and tail, the attached end

  6. Distal – away from the main mass or origin; in limbs and tail, the free end

  7. Radial/Ulnar – side of the forearm near the radius and ulna

  8. Tibial/Fibular - that side of the hindleg where the tibia and fibula are located

  9. Palmar – the surface that contacts the ground in the forepaw

  10. Plantar – the surface that contacts the ground in the hindpaw. The opposite surface is the dorsal surface

  11. Axis – the central line of the body or any of its parts

  12. The axial surface of the digit faces the axis

  13. The abaxial surface faces away from the axis
• Basic movements of the parts of the body

  1. Flexion - the movement of one bone in relation to another in such a manner that the angle formed at their joint decreases; the limb is retracted or folded; the digit is bent; the back is arched dorsally

  2. Extension - the angle formed at their joint increases. The limb reaches out or is extended; the back and digit are straightened

  3. Overextension/Hyperextension/Dorsal Flexion - extension beyond 180 degrees

  4. Abduction - movement of one part away from the median plane

  5. Adduction - movement toward the median plane

  6. Circumduction

  7. Rotation

  8. Supination

  9. Pronation
• Images provided at http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/saortho/appendix_b/appb.htm
• Directional terminologies


  1. Median plane

  2. Sagittal plane

  3. Dorsal plane

  4. Transverse plane

  5. Medial

  6. Lateral

  7. Dorsal

  8. Ventral

  9. Palmar

  10. Plantar

  11. Cranial

  12. Caudal

  13. Proximal

  14. Distal

  15. Rostral

  16. Superior

  17. Inferior

  18. External

  19. Internal

  20. Superficial

  21. Deep

  22. Radial

  23. Ulnar

  24. Tibial

  25. Fibular

  26. Flexion

  27. Extension

  28. Abduction

  29. Adduction

  30. Rotation

  31. Circumduction

  32. Pronation

  33. Supination
• Descriptive terms to designate bone features

  1. Process - a general term for a prominence

  2. Trochanter - specific term for the bony
• Bone features


  • Process
  • Trochanter
  • Tuberosity
  • Tubercle
  • Spine or spinous process
  • Crest
  • Line
  • Head
  • Condyle
  • Trochlea
  • Glenoid cavity
  • Cotyloid cavity or acetabulum
  • Fossa
  • Fovea
  • Groove
  • Foramen
  • Sinus
  • Canal
  • Epicondyle
  • Notch
• Process


  A general term for a prominence
• Trochanter


  A specific term for the bony outgrowth of the femur
• Tuberosity


  A bony protrusion where a muscle attaches, seen as a rough potentially protruding surface
• Tubercle


  A rounded eminence
• Spine or spinous process


  It is a pointed projection
• Crest


  Sharp ridge
• Line


  A very small ridge
• Head


  A rounded articular enlargement at the end of a bone; it may be joined to the shaft by a constricted part, the neck