The Anatomy of Dog, Cat, Cow, and Horse

Anatomy is a term with a Greek origin ‘anatemnein’ which can be defined as to cut apart or to dissect. Anatomy is backed up by a history that dates back up to a 3rd century. The Skeleton is the main body part that supports the whole structure of a living organism. There are various types of skeletons, and they include endoskeleton which provides support to the structure inside a body and an exoskeleton that supports the organism’s outer shell. Skeletons can also be classified as either fluid or solid. A fluid Skelton is internal. Solid Skelton can be both internal endoskeleton and external exoskeleton.

As part of the research, this paper will concrete describing the differences that exist between the skeletons of a cat, dog, cow, and horse which are all vertebrates. Also, the assignment will cover the difference between their skulls, dentition, orbit placement, bone shape, spine mobility, and joints. Lastly, the paper will try to discuss why there exists a vast difference relating to function, movement, and survival of the invertebrates mentioned earlier.

This paper will focus significantly on dog, cat, cow and horse skeletons. Horse and dog are vertebrates that have been studied extensively. The Dog is carnivore that has a vertebral formula: C7 T13 L7 S3 Ca 20-23. When compared with other canids the morphology tends to vary.  The evolution of a dog is constructed around teeth. The teeth act as the primary source of defense and food. Also, the dog is associated with a relatively long thin and sturdy limb that is adapted for running. The overall number of bones in that are present in dog sum up to an average of three hundred and nineteen. Whereby about 15.6% of all the bones are found in the skull.

There are three types of dog’s skulls which include Dolichocephalic that characterizes a dog that has long pointed, narrow skull base and a relatively small nose. Perfect examples of dogs that have dolichocephalic skull include Russian Wolfhounds and Collies. Mesaticephalic skull on the hand is associated with skulls that have a short and broad base. Mesaticephalic are medium skulls which are a commonly found in both Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds Geiger. Lastly, Brachycephalic skulls are associated with the broad base and short base skulls with the undershot jaw as another vital character that describes Brachycephalic skulls.

 The anatomy of carnivores and herviborous tends to vary tremendously from one breed to the other either when wild or even domesticated. Carnivore just like other animals is also associated with cardiovascular systems. A dog being a carnivore have a dental formula that adequately reflects their eating ability. Dogs have an overall number of 42 teeth. In comparing the maxilla of dogs and cats, dogs have broader and a longer one as compared to cats. In dogs, the orbit is wide to provide a better and relatively improve perception and is found on the front t of the head. Furthermore, in herbivores orbits are located on the sides to enhance visibility. By herbivores having orbits on the head size, it allows them to effectively have an increased ability to stock their prey. Animal skull acts as quality casing option for the brain. The skull also houses some body organs that are very crucial such as nose, ears, mouth, and eyes.

Dogs have only one canine and three incisors four premolars and two molars in their lower jaw. A thin fibrous tissue capsule which comes with quality synovial lining surrounds the fibrous tissue. Numerically and morphologically the teeth of every dog are different from those of herbivorous but relatively similar to those of cat. The root trunk of carnivore molars and premolars usually is absent. Mesiodistally the maxillary of the carnivorous incisor is relatively broad. The most extended teeth of a carnivore are the canine. Often the crown of canine teeth is almost three times shorter than the length of the root which is found within the maxillary canine. Historically and morphologically the articular eminence of a dog is absent but has a very efficient retroarticular process.

Dogs can be grouped as diphyodont“ as they have two sets of teeth. The first set is deciduous and comes with 28 teeth while the second one has 42 teeth and is referred to as a permanent set. A quality enamel that is relatively thin allows the dog to be in the position of feeding on nonabrasive food. The Cats which is scientifically known as (Felis catus) is carnivore that has a vertebral formula: C7 T13 L7 S3 Ca 5-23. When compared with other herbivores the morphology tends to vary. 

The evolution of a cat is constructed around teeth. The teeth act as the primary source of defense and food. Also, the cats are associated with a relatively long thin and robust limb that are adapted for running. The overall number of bones in that is present in cats sum up to an average of 245 bones. Whereby about 34 all the total bones are found in the skull. Cats can be grouped as strict carnivores ”as they have two sets of teeth. The first set is deciduous and comes with 26 teeth, and 30 teeth are composed in the permanent set. The presence of additional lumbar vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae enhance flexibility and mobility. Moreover, cats have clavicle bones that float freely and allows them to pass their body wherever they can fix their heads. The fact that the vestigial clavicle is not attached to the shoulder joints provides an avenue for a cat to squeeze itself through small spaces. A quality enamel that is relatively thin allows the cats to be in the position of feeding on nonabrasive food.

The Horse is carnivore that has a vertebral formula: C7 T18 L6 S5 Ca 15-21. When compared with other herbivores the morphology tends to vary. The evolution of a horse is constructed around teeth. The teeth act as the primary source of defense and food. Also, the horse is associated with relatively long thin and robust limbs that are adapted for running.  The overall number of bones that are present in horse sum up to an average of 205 bones whereby about 34 all the total bones are found in the skull. Additionally, a horse’s scapula has a broad flat surface with the lumbar vertebrae formation that provides enough space for powerful muscles’ attachment. These muscles are the ones that move the hind and forelimbs of a horse.

The cows which are an herbivore has a vertebral formula: C7 T13 L6 S5 Ca 18-20. When compared with other herbivores the morphology tends to vary.  The evolution of a cow is constructed around teeth.

Also, the cows are associated with some relatively long thin and robust limbs that are adapted for running.  The overall number of bones present in cows sum up to an average of 215 bones. When the nasal cavity of cows is compared to that an of the horse, it tends to be associated with relatively reduced size.

The DNA structure of the cow indicated that it was first domesticated 10500 years ago. Therefore, there are more than eight hundred breeds of cows today. About 18 of all the overall bones are found in the skull. The first set is deciduous and comes with 32 teeth. A quality enamel that is relatively thin allows the cow to be in the position of feeding. The cow is also grouped as ruminant as it has a stomach which is multi-chambered. When feeding out in the feed food is directly coughed up and efficiently chewed again later as the cud. To enhance vision and also encourage a wide range of view the eyes, the cow has eyes that are placed on every side of their head. Due to the positioning of the eyes, a cow is deemed to have a panoramic vision.

Ruminant animals regurgitate all of their food. The process of chewing food to completion is repeated for about 50 times. Ruminant has a multi-chambered stomach that plays a vital role by allowing them to benefit fully by accession the maximum possible nutrients amount from any food available or provided to them. Ruminants have orbits on the head that will enable them to have an increased view range. Animal skull acts a quality casing option for the brain. The skull also houses some body organs that are very crucial such as nose, ears, mouth, and eyes.

An adult carnivore that is either a dog or cat has teeth that a have roots relatively longer as compared to the crown. The root trunk of carnivore molars and premolars usually are absent. Mesiodistally, the maxillary of the carnivorous incisor is relatively broad. The most extended teeth of a carnivore are the canine. Usually, the crown of canine teeth is almost three times shorter than the length of the root which is found within the maxillary canine. Lastly, in carnivorous dentition, the premolars are shortest teeth. Occlusocervically, the premolars have a relatively short crown but Mesiodistally broad.

The brain is efficiently housed in the cranium which is found at the rear of the skull. For both dog and horse, the lower mandible has a hinged nature which is located at the back of their skull. Having a hinged jaw translates that the entire jaw(lower) is active when closing or opening their mouth. The teeth of both horse and dogs, cats, horse, and cow vary depending on the age and function of every animal. The dog and cats are carnivores hence have pointed teeth this enables them to obtain their food more efficiently.

While on the other side, both cow and horse are herbivores, therefore, they have similar flat teeth. Quadruped’s animals in our case we are referring the dog, horse cat and now have a relatively more extended ribcage. More extended ribcage plays an essential role in protecting and holding their moderately increased lungs. Carnivores have ribs that take a slender appearance to allow them to be associated with the high flight which herbivores have ribs that are expensed and wide.

Dogs, cats, cows, and horse are all Quadrupeds as they walk on four legs this makes them have bodies that are structurally different from bipedal.  Invertebrate that is quadruped have the similar spine to a human being, where the neck is made up of the cervical vertebra, ribs are efficiently connected to the thoracic vertebra to form the chest. Small tarsal bones from the hock joint. Of all the small tarsal bones the calcaneus which is referred as the hell bone slightly project upwards and outwards in both carnivores and herbivore. Also, the lower back is formed by the lumbar. Carnivores have a relatively flexible lumbar vertebra in our case we have both the dog and the cat. Herbivores have a relatively rigid lumbar vertebra.

               Over decades the horse which in our case is herbivore has undergone colossal evolution and the evolution driven by their flight ability. About 80% of horse life tends to depend heavily on their ability to outrun danger efficiently. Shorter femur and humerus are found in the horse while they have relatively longer lower leg these characteristics increase their flight ability.  Furthermore, the lower leg region is short with leverage created by powerful tendons as well as massive muscles found in the torso and the upper leg. All these features contribute to power and speed of a horse. Despite the horse having more specialized and complex structure; it is more straightforward when compared to dogs.

Also, both herbivores and carnivore depend on their hind limbs for movement. The femur plays a vital role in attaching socket joint with the pelvis. In both carnivores and herbivore, the socket joint and the ball allows movement. The main difference that exists is that the hock is relatively lower on carnivores dog and cats, while it is relatively higher on herbivores horse and cow. Small tarsal bones from the hock joint of all the small tarsal bones and the calcaneus are referred to like the hell bone, and it slightly projects upwards and outwards in both carnivores and herbivore. Metatarsal is found somewhat below the hock, and it is called the foot bones. For carnivores, the metatarsal is separate but tend to be hugged by herbivores.

Concussion

In conclusion, it is recommended that there should be constant research assessing the performance of different animal breeds to note all the changes. Ruminants have an increased ability to select nutritious diets from a   very diverse array of herbs and plant species which have different concentrations and kind of both nutrients and sod toxins. While carnivores have teeth that are associated with feeding on different preys. On the other hand, Dogs, cats, cows, and horse are all Quadrupeds as they walk on four legs this makes them have bodies that are structurally different from bipedal. Quadrupeds can walk for longer distances when looking for food and other food supplements. Quadrupeds have an added evolutionary advantage in various environments that can be deemed as limited scenarios. Quadrupeds also due to their body structure are relatively mobile.

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