The Dog Anatomy WorkBook: A Guide to the Canine Body

Question 1

Name and define the directional planes

Answer 1

Transverse Plane- divides the body into cranial and caudal portions

Dorsal Plane- divides the dog into ventral and dorsal portions

Sagittal Plane- divides the dog into right and left portions If this plane were in the midline of the body, this is the median plane or median sagittal plane

Question 2

List the sixteen directional terms and which plane they relate to

Answer 2

Cranial (Transverse Plane)
Caudal (Transverse Plane)
Rostral (Transverse Plane)
Dorsal (Transverse and Dorsal Plane, depending on anatomical location)
Ventral (Dorsal Plane)
Proximal (Dorsal Plane)
Distal (Dorsal Plane)
Palmar (Transverse Plane)
Plantar (Transverse Plane)
Lateral (Median Sagital Plane)
Medial (Median Sagital Plane)
Axis (Median Sagital Plane)
Axial (Median Sagital Plane)
Abaxial (Median Sagital Plane)
Unilateral (Median Sagital Plane)
Bilateral (Median Sagital Plane)

Question 3

Define cranial

Answer 3

Towards the cranium or head end of the body

Question 4

Define caudal

Answer 4

Towards the cauda or tail end of the body or the back of the head

Question 5

Define rostral

Answer 5

Within the head, towards the nose

Question 6

Define Dorsal

Answer 6

Towards the back surface; surface away from the ground; the cranial aspect of the foot below the carpus and tarsus

Question 7

Define ventral

Answer 7

Towards the belly; the surface closer to the ground

Question 8

Define proximal

Answer 8

On a limb, a position that is more dorsal; also a potion nearest a point of muscle origin

Question 9

Define Distal

Answer 9

On limb, a position that is more ventral; also a position nearest a point of muscle insertion

Question 10

What is the difference between muscle origin and muscle insertion?

Answer 10

A muscle has two ends that each attach to bone: the muscle’s origin and the muscle’s insertion. At both of these points, tendons attach the muscle to bone.

Muscle origin refers to a muscle’s proximal attachment—the end of the muscle closest to the torso. For example, the bicep muscle’s origin is located at the shoulder. Muscle insertion refers to a muscle’s distal attachment—the end of the muscle furthest away from the torso. For example, the bicep insertion occurs at the elbow.

Question 11

Define palmar

Answer 11

As in the palm of the human hand; describes the caudal aspect of the forelimb below the carpus

Question 12

Define plantar

Answer 12

As in the sole of the human foot; describes the caudal aspect of the hind limb below the hock

Question 13

Define lateral

Answer 13

The side or outside; or more technically, denoting a position away from the median plane of midline of the body

Question 14

Define medial

Answer 14

The inside; or more technically, position towards the median plane or midline elf the body

Question 15

Define axis

Answer 15

A line or plane through the centre of the body or a structure

Question 16

Define axial

Answer 16

Towards the axis or axial plane

Question 17

Define abaxial

Answer 17

Away from the axis or axial plane

Question 18

Define unilateral

Answer 18

Relating to one side only of the body or a structure (usually stated as right or left unilateral)

Question 19

Define bilateral

Answer 19

Relating to both sides of the body or a structure

Question 20

Name the nine terms used to describe x-ray views

Answer 20

Ventrodorsal
Dorsoventral
Mediolateral
Lateromedial
Craniocaudal
Caudocranial

Question 21

Define ventrodorsal

Answer 21

X rays passing from the ventral aspect of a structure though the dorsal

Question 22

Define Dorsoventral

Answer 22

X rays passing from the dorsal spectate of a structure through to the ventral

Question 23

Define mediolateral

Answer 23

X rays passing from the medial aspect of a structure through to the lateral

Question 24

Define lateromedial

Answer 24

X rays passing from the lateral aspect of a structure through to the medial

Question 25

Define craniocaudal

Answer 25

X rays passing from the cranial aspect of a structure through to the caudal

Question 26

Define caudocranial

Answer 26

X rays passing from the caudal aspect of a structure through to the cranial

Question 27

Define dorsopalmar

Answer 27

X rays passing from the dorsal aspect of the forepaw, below the carpus, to the palmar aspect

Question 28

Define dorsoplantar

Answer 28

X rays passing from the dorsal aspect of the hind paw, below the tarsus, to the plantar aspect

Question 29

Define rostrocaudal

Answer 29

X rays passing from the rostral aspect of the head through to the caudal

Question 30

Describe the structure and function of the hip joint.

Answer 30

Structure: a ball and socket joint comprised of the femoral and the acetabulum

Function: to join the pelvis and the hind limb and to allow a wide range of motion, including rotation of the limb which is important for locomotion

Question 31

How does the structure and function of the hip joint relate to each other?

Answer 31

The ball (head of the femur) fits into the deep socket (acetabulum of the hip) so that movement in many directions is possible, but without the joint coming apart of dislocating