Anatomical definitions

When studying anatomy and physiology it is impor­tant to understand the terms that arc used to describe where structures lie in relation to one another. These are illustrated in figure 1.1 and named as follows:

Median plane divides the body longitudinally into symmetrical right and left halves, i.e.

Superfieial- near to the surface of the body Deep - closer to ι he centre of the body CriinirtlZiuitcrior - towards the ITont of the animal,

i. c. towards the head

CaudalZpasterior - towards the rear end or tail of the animal, i.e. a wav from the head

Λ!rdκι∕- structures that lie towards or near the median plane, i.e. closer to the middle of the animal

hitend- structures that lie towards the side of the animal, i.e. away from the median plane

Dorsal - towards or near the back or vertebral column of the animal and the corresponding surfaces of the head, neck and tail

Ventral - towards or near the belly or lowermost

W*

surface of the body and the corresponding surfaces of the head, neck and tail

Rostrul - towards the nose: this is used to describe the position of structures on the head Prpjriinul-Strucluresor part of the structure that lie close to the main mass of the body. e.g. the 'top' of the limb that attaches to the body: this is also

WF

used to describe parts that lie near the origin of a structure

Fig. 1.1 Anatomical planes and directional terms used to descnbe the relative position o^z structures ∣n the body. (Reported from Ciimcai Aratomy and Physiology for Vetennary Technicians.! CoMKe and JM Bassett p 3. Copynght 2002. with permission from t∣se√∣er Science.)

Disltd-Slriictures or part of the structure that lie away from the main mass of the body or origin, e.g. the free end of the limb

Pahnar- the rear surface of the fore paw that bears the footpads: the opposite surface I i.e. the front surface of the paw) is the dorsal surface Pliinlar - the rear surface of the hind paw that bears the footpads: the opposite surface las above) is the dorsal surface.