Anatomy and Physiology
Proctored Exam
Define the term physiology - ans-Physiology - is the study of the functions of the
animal body and its parts. Through physiology, we can describe how parts of the
body work and what their functions are.
Define the term Anatomy - ans-Anatomy - is the study of the form and structure of
an animal body and its parts (healthy). Through anatomy, we can describe where
things are located in or on the animal body and what they look like.
Define microscopic anatomy - ans-Deals with structures too small to be seen with
the naked eye. Such as cells and tissues.
Define macroscopic anatomy - ans-Deals with large body structures visible to the
naked eye. Such as organs, muscles, and bones.
Define regional anatomy - ans-Study of specific body regions
Define systemic anatomy - ans-Study of specific systems of the body
Describe the four anatomic planes of reference - ans-Sagittal plane - a plane that
runs the length of the body and divides it into left and right parts that are not
necessarily equal halves.
, Median plane - a special kind of sagittal plane that runs down the center of the body
lengthwise and divides it into equal left and right halves. It could also be called a
midsagittal plane, but that term is not commonly used.
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. It
divides the body into dorsal (toward the animal's back) and ventral (toward the
belly) parts that are not necessarily equal. If an animal stands in water with its body
partially submerged, the surface of the water describes a dorsal plane. In humans,
this plane is called the frontal plane.
List and describe the anatomic terms of direction. - ans-Cranial: toward the head
end of the body ♦ 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 (internal) ♦ Superficial: toward the surface (external) ♦ 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 & hindlimb from carpus and tarsus distally
List and describe common regional terms for the body - ans-Barrel: trunk of the
body - formed by the ribcage and abdomen.
Brisket: Area at the base of the neck between the front legs that covers the cranial
end of the sternum.
Cannon: Large metacarpal or metatarsal bone of hoofed animals.
Fetlock: Joint between cannon bone (large metacarpal/metatarsal) 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/ femoropatellar joint - equivalent to human knee.
Tailhead: Dorsal part of the base of the tail.
Withers: Area dorsal to scapulas.
Proctored Exam
Define the term physiology - ans-Physiology - is the study of the functions of the
animal body and its parts. Through physiology, we can describe how parts of the
body work and what their functions are.
Define the term Anatomy - ans-Anatomy - is the study of the form and structure of
an animal body and its parts (healthy). Through anatomy, we can describe where
things are located in or on the animal body and what they look like.
Define microscopic anatomy - ans-Deals with structures too small to be seen with
the naked eye. Such as cells and tissues.
Define macroscopic anatomy - ans-Deals with large body structures visible to the
naked eye. Such as organs, muscles, and bones.
Define regional anatomy - ans-Study of specific body regions
Define systemic anatomy - ans-Study of specific systems of the body
Describe the four anatomic planes of reference - ans-Sagittal plane - a plane that
runs the length of the body and divides it into left and right parts that are not
necessarily equal halves.
, Median plane - a special kind of sagittal plane that runs down the center of the body
lengthwise and divides it into equal left and right halves. It could also be called a
midsagittal plane, but that term is not commonly used.
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. It
divides the body into dorsal (toward the animal's back) and ventral (toward the
belly) parts that are not necessarily equal. If an animal stands in water with its body
partially submerged, the surface of the water describes a dorsal plane. In humans,
this plane is called the frontal plane.
List and describe the anatomic terms of direction. - ans-Cranial: toward the head
end of the body ♦ 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 (internal) ♦ Superficial: toward the surface (external) ♦ 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 & hindlimb from carpus and tarsus distally
List and describe common regional terms for the body - ans-Barrel: trunk of the
body - formed by the ribcage and abdomen.
Brisket: Area at the base of the neck between the front legs that covers the cranial
end of the sternum.
Cannon: Large metacarpal or metatarsal bone of hoofed animals.
Fetlock: Joint between cannon bone (large metacarpal/metatarsal) 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/ femoropatellar joint - equivalent to human knee.
Tailhead: Dorsal part of the base of the tail.
Withers: Area dorsal to scapulas.
