Animal Anatomy
Animal Anatomy
Acetabulum is an anatomical term applied to any cup-like cavity, as that of a bone to receive the protuberant end of another bone.
Adam's Apple is the popular name for the thyroid cartilage. That is the prominence seen in the front of the throat of man. It is small and invisible in females. It is so called from the notion that a piece of the forbidden fruit stuck in Adam's throat.
Adenoids is the pathological enlargement of the lymphoid tissue.
Adipose tissue is a form of connective tissue in which the constituent cells are modified to enable them to contain droplets of oil. (Fat).
The adrenal glands are a pair of glands on the kidneys which secrete adrenalin and other hormones.
The alimentary canal is the channel in an animal through which food passes.
An alveolus is a lung air sac where gas exchange with the blood occurs.
Amitosis is the anatomical term given to cell reproduction by direct division. The nucleus becomes constricted in the middle, forming an hour-glass shape and then divides into two. This is followed by a division of the whole protoplasmic mass of the cell; two daughter cells are thus formed, each containing a nucleus. Direct division occurs in leucocytes and bone-cells, and in the epithelial cells lining the urinary bladder.
The amnion is a membranous sac which surrounds the embryo; it is developed in reptiles, birds and mammals, but not in amphibia or fishes.
Anaphase is the 3rd stage of mitosis cell reproduction. The centromeres split into 2 halves which repel each other.
Anatomy describes the structure and organisation of living creatures.
The Anconeus is a muscle in the human arm. It assists the Triceps in extending the elbow-joint.
The ankle is the joint connecting the foot with the leg.
An antenna is a sensory organ found on the head of insects.
An antibody is a bodily protein that inactivates infection.
The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It carries blood from the heart to the arms, legs and head.
The Aqueous humour is the watery fluid found in the space between the cornea and the lens of the eyes of vertebrates.
Areolar tissue is a generalised form of connective tissue in which the constituent cells are separated by a semi-fluid matrix in which both white connective tissue and yellow elastic fibres are found.
The arm is a limb extending from the shoulder of an animal.
An artery is a vessel that conveys blood from the heart.
In anatomy, the 1st cervical vertebrae is called the atlas because it supports the globe of the head.
The auricles are resevoirs within the heart which receive blood from the veins.
In anatomy, the 2nd cervical vertebrae is called the axis. It provides the pivot for the atlas and the head.
The biceps are a long fusiform muscle on the front of the arm. They are used to flex the elbows.
Bile is a secretion of the liver stored in the gall bladder.
The bladder is a sack in the abdomen which collects urine from the kidneys.
Blood is a body fluid that carries food and oxygen to cells.
Blubber is the thick coating of fat enveloping whales.
Bone is the hard skeletal part of an animal.
The Brachialis is a muscle covering the front of the human elbow-joint. It is used to flex the elbow.
The brain is the central organ of the nervous system.
The bronchial tubes (bronchi) are a division of the trachea which branch repeatedly into small bronchioles within the lungs.
In human anatomy, the calcaneum is the largest and strongest of the tarsal bones. It projects backwards beyond the bones of the leg to provide a lever for the muscles of the calf.
A capillary is a fine blood vessel which carries blood to cells.
The capitate bone is the largest bone in the human wrist.
The carpus are the bones of the human wrist.
Cartilage or cartilaginous tissue covers the ends of the bones where they come together to make a joint. It enables the bones to move easily.
In anatomy, a cartilaginous joint is an articulation where the bones are joined by cartilage, and a limited amount of movement is possible.
A cell, in biological terms, is the material unit of all living things.
Cephalic is a classification of human skull. It refers to the shape of skull posessed by Kaffirs and Native Australians.
The cerebellum is the lower part of the brain, it controls muscular movements and postural equilibrium.
The cerebrum is the upper and larger portion of the brain and occupies the whole of the dome of the cranium.
The cervical vertebrae are the 7 vertebrae closest to the skull.
In human anatomy, the clavicle is a long bone which lies almost horizontally at the root of the neck. It serves 2 main functions; to act as a prop which braces back the shoulder and enables the limb to swing clear of the trunk. And to transmit part of the weight of the limb to the axial skeleton.
In human anatomy, the coccyx is the bone at the apex of the sacrum. It is usually comprised of 4 vertebrae fused together.
The colon is the large intestine.
Connective tissue is derived from the mesenchyme and includes a number of tissues which have a passive, binding function. In a connective tissue the parent cells are separated more or less widely from one another by a homogeneous matrix or ground substance, in which fibres may or may not be present.
The Coracobrachialis is a human muscle used to draw the arm forwards and prevent side-sway when the arm is raised by the Deltoid.
In birds, the Coracoid Bone is the bone joining the sternum to the shoulder and supporting the wing. In mammals it is represented by the coracoid process of the scapula.
In human anatomy, the costal cartilages are bars of hyaline cartilage which extend forwards from the anterior ends of the ribs and contribute to the elasticity of the thorax.
The cuneiform bones are three bones in the human foot behind the first three metatarsal bones.
The cuticle is the horny outside layer of skin.
The deltoid muscle is a triangular muscle in the shoulder used to lift the upper arm.
Desmology is the branch of anatomy dealing with ligaments and sinews.
The diaphragm is a large transverse muscle at the base of the thorax, used in respiration to draw air into the lungs.
Diploe is the anatomical term for the spongy substance between flat bones.
The dura mater is the membrane which covers the brain.
The ear is the organ used for hearing. It converts sound into electrical impulses that are fed to the brain.
An endocrine gland is one which secretes hormones into the body.
The epidermis is the outer layer of an animal's skin.
The epiglottis is a fibro-cartilaginous lid shaped like a leaf which covers the upper opening of the larynx.
Epithelium is an anatomical term a basic type of bodily tissue. It comprises the external surface of the skin, the internal surfaces of the digestive, respiratory and urogenital systems and others. The constituent cells of an epithelium are always closely packed together and the intercellular substance is reduced to a minimum.
Erythrocyte is the anatomical term for red corpuscles.
An exocrine gland is one which secretes onto a surface. Such as a sweat gland.
The eye is the organ of vision.
The Fallopian tubes are two tubes in mammals which carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus. Eggs are fertilised in the Fallopian tubes by sperm, and then moved to the ovary by way of cilia.
The femur is the thigh bone in the human leg.
In anatomy, a fibrous joint is an articulation in which the surfaces of the bones are fastened together by intervening fibrous tissue, and in which there is no appreciable motion, as in the joints between the bones of the human cranium.
In anatomy, fibrous joints are articulations in which the surfaces of the bones are fastened together by intervening fibrous tissue, and in which there is no appreciable motion. For example between the bones of the cranium.
The fibula is the lateral bone of the leg. It is slender, compared to the tibia. It's purpose is to give attachment to the muscles.
Flagellum are a small hair-like organ on the surface of certain cells. They are the motile organs of the sperm cells of higher animals.
In human anatomy, flat bones occur where the principal requirement of the skeleton is to protect delicate structures or provide broad surfaces for muscular attachment. The bones are comprised of two thin layers of compact bone separated by a variable quantity of spongy substance.
In human anatomy, flat bones provide protection and a broad surface for muscular attachment. They are formed of two thin layers of compact bone separated by a spongy substance.
A foetus is an unborn offspring of an animal.
A follicle is a small group of cells that surrounds and nourishes a structure such as a hair (hair follicle) or a cell such as an egg (Graafian follicle).
The fontanelle is a membrane covered vault in the skull. It normally closes during infancy.
The fovea is a small depression in the retina where vision is most acute.
The frontal bone is the plate at the front of the top of the human skull. It forms the forehead.
The gall bladder is a small muscular sac attached to the liver.
A ganglion is an enlargment occuring somewhere in the course of a nerve, and containing nerve cells in addition to nerve filaments.
Gastric Juice is a clear, colourless fluid secreted by the mucous membrane of the stomach, and is the chief agent in digestion.
The Gastric System refers to all parts of the body which contribute to digestion.
The Gastrocnemius is a muscle forming most of the human calf.
The gizzard is a strong muscular part of a bird's alimentary canal which enables them to grind their food. Gizzards also occur in many gasteropods, and in certain cephalopods and crustaceans.
A gland is a bodily organ that manufactures and secretes enzymes, hormones or other chemicals.
The Gluteus maximus is a large muscle in the human back-side.
Gnathic is a classification of human skull shape found in Europeans.
The Graafian Vesicles are numerous small globular transparent follicles found in the ovaries of mammals. Each follicle contains one ovum whic is expelled when it reaches maturity.
Haemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood.
The hallux is the innermost of the five digits which normally compose the hind foot of a vertebrate. In humans the big toe, in a bird the hind toe.
The hamate bone is one of the bones in the human wrist.
The Haversian Canals are a network of minute canals, which traverse the solid substance of bones and proceed from the central cavity. They convey nutrient vessels to all parts.
The heart is the muscle in vertebrates which pumps blood around the body.
A hormone is a product of the endocrine glands.
The humerus is the long bone in the upper region of the human arm. It joins with the shoulder at the glenoid cavity.
The hypothalamus is the region of the human brain below the cerebrum which regulates rhythmic activity and physiological stability within the body, including water balance and temperature.
The ileum is a continuation of the jejunum and opens into the colon.
The Iliacus is a muscle in the human thigh.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.
Interossei are muscles in the human hand and foot.
The intestine is the convoluted membranous tube which extends from the stomach to the anus and which receives the ingested food from the stomach, mixes it with bile, pancreatic juice and intestinal secretions, gives origin to the chyle and delivers the indigestible products from the system.
In anatomy, irregular bones are bones which do not fit into any of the other bone types. They are comprised of a spongy substance enclosed within a thin layer of compact bone.
The jejunum is the second part of the human small intestine. It is about 9 feet long.
A joint is a structure where two bones meet.
The kidney is a gland used for filtering urine from the blood.
The labrum is the ventral lobe in the front of an insect's head which covers the mouth parts.
The lachrymal gland is a gland beneath the upper eye lid which secretes tears which drain from the inner corner of the eye through the Lachrymal duct to the nose.
Lacteals are small lymphatic vessels which arise from the mucous membrane lining of the small bowel.
The larynx is a cavity at the top of the trachea containing the vocal cords.
Leucocytes is the anatomical term for colourless corpuscles. (White blood cells).
Leucocytes is the anatomical term for colourless corpuscles. (White blood cells).
The lips are the fleshy edges of the opening of the mouth.
The liver is the largest gland in the human body. The liver has three functions: it secretes bile, stores glycogen and converts waste products into urea and uric acid for excretion.
In human anatomy, long bones are found in the limbs where they form levers. They have a hollow shaft.
The longus capitis is the human muscle which flexes the head.
The longus cervicis is the human muscle which bends the cervical portion of the vertebral column forwards.
In human anatomy, the lumbar vertebrae are the 5 vertebrae following the thoracic vertebrae.
The Lumbricals are muscles in the human fingers used in writing etc.
The lunate bone is one of the bones in the human wrist.
The lungs are organs used for respiration.
The malleus is a small bone in the middle ear which transmits sound vibrations from the tympanum to the incus.
In human anatomy, the mandible is the bone at the front and bottom of the skull (lower jaw).
The masseter is the human muscle which moves the mandible for chewing.
The maxilla is the bone comprising the upper jaw in the human skull.
The maxillae form the upper jaw of the human skull.
In human anatomy, the maxillary artery is the larger terminal branch of the external cartoid artery. It rises behind the neck of the mandible and is at first imbedded in the partoid gland. It passes forwards between the neck of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament and then to the Lateral pterygoid and enters the pterygopalatine fossa between the two heads of that muscle.
The mentalis is a muscle in the human face, it raises and protudes the lower lip and wrinkles the skin of the chin.
The metacarpus are the five bones of the human palm.
Metaphase is the 2nd stage of mitosis cell reproduction. The chromosomes have become irregular V shaped and arrange themselves around the equator.
The metatarsus are the 5 bones in the anterior part of the human foot. They are between the tarsus and the phalanges.
Mitosis is cell reproduction by indirect division. It is the common method of division in the higher animals. It is characterised by a series of complex changes in the nucleus leading to its subdivision. The process takes between 30 minutes and a few hours, and is comprised of 4 stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and Telophase.
Mucin is a protein and the principal constituent of mucus.
Mucous is a term for surfaces which secret or are covered with mucus.
Mucus is a thick fluid secreted by mucus membranes in animals. It acts as a protective barrier, lubricant and a carrier of enzymes.
Nasal is a classification of human skull shape found in primarily in Negroes.
The neck is the part of the body which connects the head with the shoulders.
The nerves are a part of the body which generate and transmit electrical impulses.
The nose is an animal's organ of smell.
The occipital bone is the plate forming the back of the human skull.
The occipitofrontalis is the broad muscle of the human scalp.
Oesophageal is a secretion from the membrane of the oesophagus. It is a mucus lubricant to assist peristalsis.
The omentum is a long fold of the peritoneum. It is loaded with fat and lies in front of the bowels in the abdominal cavity. It protects the bowels and keeps them warm.
The orbicularis oculi is the broad, flat, elliptical muscle which occupies the human eylids and spreads down towards the cheek.
In human anatomy, the orbits are a pair of roomy cavities in the skull which contain the eyes.
Orbital is a classification of human skull shape and refers to the skulls of Tasmanians.
The orbital openings are the eye-sockets in the human skull.
The Os calcis is the heel bone of the human foot.
The palatine bones are part of the floor of the nasal cavity and the roof of the mouth in the human skull.
The pancreas is an elongated secreting gland which secretes pancreatic juice and insulin.
The parathyroid glands are two small glands in the neck concerned with the use of calcium in the body.
The parietal bone is the plate on the top of the human skull, comprising most of the dome of the skull.
The parietal bones form the sides and the roof of the human cranium.
The patella is the largest of the sesamoid bones. It is situated in front of the knee-joint. It is a flattened, triangular bone.
The Pectineus is a muscle in the human thigh.
The pelvis is a bony girdle in vertebrates that connects the body with the lower extremities.
The Pericardium is a conical, fibroserous sac containing the human heart and the roots of the major veins and arteries.
The phalanges are the bones of the human digits (fingers).
The Piriformis is a muscle in the human hip.
The pisiform bone is one of the bones in the human wrist.
The pituitary gland is a gland within the brain concerned with regulating growth and regulating other ductless glands.
The placenta connects a foetus to the uterine wall. It is the organ by means of which the nutritive, respiratory and excretory functions of the foetus are carried on.
The Plantais is a muscle in the leg.
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood.
The platysma is a neck muscle in the human body.
The procerus is a muscle in the human nose.
Progesterone is a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle in vertebrates.
Prophase is the 1st stage in mitosis cell reproduction. The nucleolus disappears and a number of chromosomes become apparent.
The pulmonary artery opens out of the right ventricle in the human heart and conveys venous blood to the lungs for collecting oxygen.
The Quadrate Bone is a bone developed in reptiles and birds by means of which the lower jaw is articulated to the skull.
The radius is one of the two long bones which form the human lower arm.
The rectum is the lowest portion of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.
In anatomy, the ribs are elastic arches of bone which are connected behind with the vertebral column and form a large part of the skeleton of the thorax.
In human anatomy, the sacrum is the large triangular bone inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. It is formed by the fusion of the five sacral vertebrae.
The sagittal suture is the fissure running along the length of the top of the human skull dividing the parietal bone into two hemispheres.
Saliva is a secretion from the salivary glands in the oral cavity. It contains mucus to lubricate food and enzymes.
The scaphoid is a small bone in the human hand.
The scaphoid bone is one of the bones in the human wrist.
The sciatic is a nerve in the leg.
Sclerous tissue provides the stiffening which is essential for the formation of the general framework of the body. There are two varieties of sclerous tissue: cartilage and bone.
The sebaceous glands are ducts in the skin which secrete oil to lubricate the skin and hair.
Secretin is a hormone produced by the small intestine in vertebrates that stimulates the production of digestive secretions.
The Semitendinosus is a muscle in the human thigh.
A septum is a muscular partition seperating the two sides of the human heart.
In human anatomy, short bones occur where the skeleton is intended for strength. Short bones consist of a spongy substance surrounded by a thin crust of compact bone.
In human anatomy, short bones are part of the skeleton designed for strength and compactness. They are comprised of a spongy substance surrounded by a thin crust of compact bone.
A sinus is an air-filled space in the diploe of a skull bone.
The skeleton is the hard internal or external framework of bones, cartilage or shell which provides protection for an animals organs, provides fixing points for the muscles and a general frame for the body.
In the human body, skin, or Dermoid Tissue, is composed of two layers, the cuticle, epidermis or epithelium and the corium or dermis.
The sphenoid bone is situated at the base of the human skull, in front of the temporal bones and the basilar part of the occipital bone.
The spinales are human muscles which extend the vertebral column.
The spleen is an organ of vertebrates that regulates the number of red blood cells.
The splenii are two muscles in the human body, the splenius capitis and the spelnius cervicis. They are used to move the head backwards, to one side and to rotate it.
The sternocostalis is a muscle in the human body.
The sternohyoid is a muscle in the human body which dpresses the hyoid bone.
The sternomastoid is a muscle in the human neck.
In anatomy, the sternum is a long flat bone which forms the median portion of the anterior wall of the thorax. The top of the sternum supports the clavicles.
The Subclavius is a muscle in the human body between the clavicle and the first rib. It steadies the clavicle during movements of the shoulder.
The Supinator is a muscle surrounding the upper one-third of the radius in the human arm. It is used to rotate the radius, thereby turning the palm of the hand forwards.
A suture is an anatomical term for an articulation found only in the skull, where the margins of the bones articulate with one another, but are separated by a thin layer of fibrous tissue (sutural ligament) and is continuous externally with the periosteum on the outside of the skull and internally with the fibrous layer of the dura mater.
In anatomy, a synovial joint is one where the bones are covered with articular cartilage but are not attached to each other. These joints allow extensive movement.
In human anatomy, the talus is the principle connecting link between the foot and the bones of the leg and has an important part in the formation of the ankle.
The tapetum is the irregular sector in certain animal's eyes which shines owing to an absence of black pigment. Tapetum is found in the eyes of cats.
In human anatomy, the tarsus comprises 7 short bones which make up the skeleton of the posterior half of the foot.
The teat is the small protuberance at the tip of the breast of female mammals upon which the ducts of the mammary gland open to supply milk to the suckling young.
Telophase is the 4th stage of mitosis cell reproduction. The nuclear membrane and the nucleolus reappear and the cytoplasm undergoes constriction around the equator of the achromatic spindle. The constriction deepens and the original cell is gradually divided.
In anatomy, the temple is the flat part either side of the head between the forehead and the ear.
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the human skull. They assist in the protection of the cerebrum and the transmission of sound waves to the ear.
The temporalis is the human facial muscle which raises the mandible, closing the mouth.
A tendon is a connective tissue that joins muscles to bone in vertebrates.
A tensor is a type of muscle which tightens or stretches a part of the body.
Testes is the plural of testis.
Testicle is another name for testis.
The testis is the male organ in which sperm are produced. Most mammals have two testis enclosed in the scrotum.
Testosterone is the male sex hormone secreted by the testes.
The thalamus is the interior region of the brain where certain important sensory nerves, especially the optic nerve, originate.
In anatomy, a theca is a case or sheath which encloses some organ or part.
The thenar is the ball of muscle at the base of the thumb.
In anatomy, the thoracic vertebrae are the 12 vertebrae following from the cervical vertebrae. They provide articulation for the ribs.
The thorax in vertebrates is the part of the body containing the heart and lungs and protected by the rib cage.
The thymus is a ductless glandular body situated near the base of the neck in vertebrates. Its function is uncertain, and in man it disappears or diminishes soon after childhood.
The thyroid is an endocrine gland near the larynx in vertebrates. It influences growth and development.
The tibia is the medial and stronger of the two bones of the leg. It is prismoid in form, and posesses a shaft and two ends. Its purpose is to support the weight of the body.
In birds, the tibiotarsus is the equivalent of the tibia, but it is fused at the lower end with some of the bones of the tarsus.
The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a tetrapod.
The tonsils are a pair of small organs on either side of the root of the tongue composed of lymphatic tissue and instrumental in protecting the throat from infection.
A tooth is a hard structure in the mouth of vertebrates.
The trachea (windpipe) carries air from the larynx to the bronchi.
The trapezium is a small bone in the human hand below the little finger.
The trapezium bone is one of the bones in the human wrist.
The trapezius is a human muscle. It is a flat, triangular muscle, covering the back of the neck and shoulder.
The trapezoid bone is one of the bones in the human wrist.
The Triceps are muscles situated on the back of the upper arms in the human body.
The triquetral bone is one of the bones in the human wrist.
The trochanter is a protuberance in the upper part of the femur to which the muscles attach.
In anatomy, a trochoides is a pivot joint.
Trypsin is an enzyme present in pancreatic juice. It converts proteins into peptones.
The tympanum (middle ear) is a cavity in the temporal bone filled with air, closed externally by the tympanic membrane and containing a chain of small bones which convey sound vibrations to the inner ear.
The ulnar is one of the two long bones which form the human lower arm. It connects with the humerus at the elbow.
The unciform is a small bone in the human hand below the first finger.
The Ureters are two membranous tubes which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder in vertebrates.
The urethra is a membranous canal which leads from the bladder to the outside world. It channels urine from the bladder out of the body.
The uterus (womb) is the organ in which young are conceived, develope and are protected until birth.
A vein carries venous blood from the body to the heart.
The ventricles are chambers within the heart which force blood along the arteries.
The vertebrae are the bones of the vertebral column. Vertebrae are irregular bones comprised of two distinct parts, an anterio termed the body, and a posterior part termed the vertebral arch.
The vertebral column is the central axis of all vertebrate animals. It is comprised of a number of independant irregular bones (vertebrae), which are firmly connected to one another, but are capable of a limited amount of independant movement.
The vomer is a thin flat bone which forms the hinder and lower part of the septum of the human nose.
The waist is the part of the body between the ribs and the hips.
The yolk is part of an embryo which serves as nutrition for the rest of the embryo.
In a human, the zygomatic bone is the bone in the skull responsible for the prominence of the upper and anterior part of the cheek. It forms the lateral part of the lower margin of the orbital opening.