Veterinary Science

Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant

Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS
Anatomy & Physiology
of Animals
Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS
Objectives
 Define anatomy
 Discuss the different fields of anatomy
 Identify and describe the integumentary system
 Identify and describe the musculoskeletal system
 Identify and describe the cardiovascular system
 Identify and describe the lymphatic system
 Identify and describe the digestive system
 Identify and describe the respiratory system
 Identify and describe the endocrine system
 Identify and describe the urinary system
 Identify and describe the reproductive system
 Identify and describe the nervous system and special senses
Definitions
 Anatomy
 The study of the structures of living things

 Physiology
 The study of the functions of living things

 Mechanical, physical, or biochemical

Latin – Anatomy
 “ana” “tome”
 “ana” – again or go back
 “tome” – to cut

 “cut again” or “go back and cut”

 The study of the structure of the animal body

and the relationships of its many parts
 Fields of Anatomy

 Gross anatomy

 Microscopic anatomy

 Developmental anatomy

 Applied anatomy
Study of gross
anatomy

 Systemically
 Regionally
Macroscopic Anatomy (gross anatomy)
Seen with the naked eye by dissection.
Organs and organ systems

Microscopic Anatomy
Viewed with a microscope.

Cytology: the study of cells

Histology: the study of the four basic

types of tissues
 PROTOPLASM – Living Substance
CELL – Smallest unit of protoplasm
CELL

TISSUE – Groups of cells with same general function

e.g., muscle, nerve
TISSUE

ORGAN – Two or more types of tissues

e.g., skin, kidney, intestine, blood vessels
ORGAN

ORGAN SYSTEM – Several organs

e.g., respiratory, digestive, reproductive systems
SYSTEM
Four Basic Types of Tissue
EPITHELIUM TISSUE CONNECTIVE TISSUE

MUSCULAR TISSUE NERVOUS TISSUE

 Functions of Epithelium
Covers organs
Lines viscera and
blood vessels

Secretory cells of
glands
Functions of Connective Tissue

 Provides mechanical support.

 Provides place for metabolite exchange.
 Provides place for energy storage.
 Provides place for inflammation.
 Provides place for fibrosis – healing.
Connective Tissue and Blood Cells
Red Cells
Carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide
from the body’s tissues.

White Cells
Manufactured in bone marrow.
Pass through the blood to
connective tissue for defense.

Platelets
Act in blood clotting.
 Muscular Tissue
Function
Generates contractile force.

Nervous Tissue
Function
Provides transmission, reception, and integration
of electrical impulses.
Organs
Definition: a distinct collection of two or more tissues
that performs a specific function or functions

Examples:
- bones
- brain
- liver
- kidney
- heart
Organ Systems

Definition: a group of interconnected organs that

work together with a common purpose or purposes
Organ Systems
• Digestive
• Respiratory
• Urinary
• Reproductive
• Musculoskeletal
• Endocrine
• Nervous
• Integumentary
• Cardiovascular (circulatory)
• Lymphatic (immune)
Integumentary System
 Epidermis
Outermost layer of skin
 Dermis
Beneath the epidermis
Consists of connective
tissue
 Hypodermis
Subcutis
Lowest layer of skin
Mainly houses fat
 Functions of Skin
 Protects against injury and desiccation.
 Maintains water balance.
 Excretes various substances.
 Provides thermoregulation.
 Receives stimuli.
 Temperature
 Pain
 Pressure
 Provides basis of recognition
of well-being.
 Provides place for fat metabolism
in the hypodermis.
 Parts and Functions of the
Musculoskeletal System
Muscles: system of levers that aid muscle action
 Smooth Muscle
 Skeletal Muscle
 Cardiac Muscle
Bones: provide support and protection
 Long bones
 Short bones
 Flat bones
 Irregular bones
Parts and Functions of the
Musculoskeletal System
 Joints
Form the junction between
two or more bones.
 Cartilage
Forms cushion.
 Ligaments
Connect bone to bone.
 Tendons
Attach muscles to bone.
Functions of Muscle
 Produces contractibility (movement).
 Running, walking, jumping
 Produces posture.
 Stabilizes joints.
 Produces heat.

Flexion (close angle of joint) and

Extension (open angle)
Functions of Cartilage
 Provides flexible support.
(ears, nose, and respiratory)

 Slides across each other.

(joints) No nerves, so no pain
during compression
of cartilage.
 Provides a cushion.
(joints)
Functions of Bone
 Provides skeletal support.

 Provides protective enclosure.

 Skull to protect brain.
 Long bone to protect blood producing cells.

 Regulates calcium.

 Provides place for hemopoiesis.

 Blood cell formation in the body
Skeleton of the “hand”
 Carpal bones

Metacarpal bones

1
Phalanges (Digits)

5
2 3 4
 Carpal bones

Metacarpal bones

Phalanges

2 5
3 4
 Carpal bones

Metacarpal bones

2 Phalanges
5

3 4
 Carpal bones

Metacarpal bones

Phalanges

3 4
 Carpal bones

Metacarpal bones

Phalange

3
Cardiovascular System
 Heart
 Arteries
 Veins
 Capillaries
 Parts and Functions of the
Cardiovascular System
Heart Capillaries
Produces blood pressure Exchange nutrients and
during systole. waste.
Elastic arteries Venules
Collect blood and edema
Conduct blood and maintain from capillaries.
pressure during diastole.
Veins
Muscular arteries Transmit blood to large
Distribute blood and maintain veins. (reservoir)
pressure. Large veins
Arterioles Receive lymph and return
blood to heart. (reservoir)
Provide peripheral resistance.
Distribute blood.
Closed Loop with
Pressure Drop
 2 125

15 30
Heart
 base

RA atria
LA

RV LV

ventricles

apex
interatrial
septum

interventicular
septum
R. atrioventicular
orifice
L. atrioventricular
orifice
 R. AV valve L. AV valve
(tricuspid valve) (mitral valve)
chordae tendineae chordae tendineae
 aorta
pulmonary trunk

pulmonary valve aortic valve

 O2
O2
Press.
(2mmHg) Press.
(3mmHg)

Systole
 0mmHg 0mmHg

Diastole
 125/80

25/8

25mm 125mm

Systole
Lymphatic System
 Returns fluid from the
tissues to the
circulatory system.

 Consists of:
 Lymph
 Lymphatic vessels
 Lymphatic structures
Parts and Functions of the
Lymphatic System
 Lymph nodes
 Filters and traps foreign particles.
 Contain white blood cells.

 Tonsils
 Protects against bacteria.

 Thymus
 Helps with immunologic cells.

 Spleen
 Clears out old red blood cells.
Functions of the Lymphatic System
 Removes excess fluids from body tissues.
 Absorbs fatty acids.
 Transports fat.
 Produces immune cells (lymphocytes).
 Helps combat infections.
Digestive System
 Involves
 Prehension
 Digestion
 Absorption of food
 Elimination of solid
waste material

 Parts
 Oral cavity
 Esophagus
 Stomach (gastro)
 Small intestines
 Large intestines
Functions of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract
(G-I Tract)
 Moves food.

 Secretes of digestive juices.

 Absorbs digested foods,

water, and electrolytes.
Stomach of Ruminants
 Four chambers
 Rumen
 Reticulum
 Omasum
 Abomasum

Stomach of Monogastrics
 Single stomach
 Parts of the Respiratory System
 For conducting air:
 Nasal cavity
 Nasopharynx
 Larynx
 Trachea
 Bronchi
 Bronchioles
 For exchanging gas:
 Alveoli
 Functions of the Respiratory System
 Includes inspiration and expiration.

 Provides an exchange of respiratory

gases.
(oxygen and carbon dioxide)

 Warms, cleans, and humidifies air.

 Aids olfaction and phonation.

Reproductive System
 Functions of the reproductive system
 Provides process for reproduction.
 Production of offspring

 Parts of the reproductive system

 Female animals
 Male animals
Parts of the Urinary System
 Kidneys

 Urinary bladder

 Ureters

 Urethra
Functions of the Urinary System
 Absorbs metabolites.

 Storages urine temporarily.

 Eliminates urine.
 Excretes waste products.
Parts of the Endocrine System
 Pituitary gland
 Thyroid gland
 Parathyroid glands
 Adrenal glands
 Related parts:
 Pancreas
 Gonads
 Placenta
 G-I tract
 Functions of the Endocrine System
 Releases hormones.

 Regulates metabolism.

 Regulates growth/development.

 Regulates tissue function.

 Regulates mood.
 Parts of the Nervous System
 Central nervous system
 Brain
 Spinal cord

 Peripheral nervous system

 Somatic nerves

 Automatic nerves
Functions of the Nervous System
 Controls functions and movement of:
 Organs
 Muscles
 Sensory organs

 Neurons relay and receive information.

 Neurons conduct electrochemical signals.

The Central Nervous System (CNS)

The Brain
The central information
processing organ of the
body

The Spinal Cord

Long, thin tubular bundle of
nerves

Connected to the brain

 The Peripheral Nervous System

Somatic Nerves
Control voluntary muscles that
provide movement.

Autonomic Nerves
Control involuntary responses.
(smooth muscle, cardiac
muscle, glands, and organs)
Special Systems
The Eye (sight)

The Ear (hearing and balance)

The Tongue (taste)

The Nasal Cavity (smell)