Heads up on dog parts

Starting from the head, a dog is made up of the

Nose: Dog noses are often cold and wet, and of course, they usually get stuck where theyre not wanted.
The muzzle (foreface) comprised of the upper and lower jaws.
The stop is an indentation (sometimes nonexistent) between the muzzle and the braincase or forehead.
The forehead (braincase) is the portion of the head thats similar to your own forehead; it goes from the stop and eyebrows to the
back point of the skull.
The occiput is the highest point of the skull at the back of the head and a prominent feature on some dogs.
Its well known what ears are, but different dogs have different types of ears, including:
Pricked: Pricked ears are upright.
Dropped: Dropped ears hang down.
Button: Button ears have a fold in them.
Cropped: Cropped ears are surgically altered.
Eyes are pretty obvious, and most often obviously brown.
Like humans, dogs have eyebrows, or simply brows.
Whiskers provide some sensory feeling.
Flews is just a fancy word for a dogs lips.
A dogs cheek is the skin along the sides of the muzzle about where your cheeks are if you had a muzzle.
Ruffling the neck and doggy shoulders
Parts of the neck and shoulders include
The nape of the neck is where the neck joins the base of the skull in the back of the head.
The throat is beneath the jaws.
The crest starts at the nape and ends at the withers (see the last item in this list).
The neck is pretty self-explanatory; it runs from the head to the shoulders.
The shoulder is the top section of the foreleg from the withers to the elbow.
The withers are the top point of the shoulders, making them the highest point along the dogs back.
Baring the canine back and chest
The back and the chest are together because theyre part of the dogs torso, which includes:
The prosternum is the top of the sternum, a bone that ties the rib cage together.
The chest is the entire rib cage of the dog.
The back runs from the point of the shoulders to the end of the rib cage. The term back is sometimes used to describe the back
and the loin.
The flank refers to the side of the dog between the end of the chest and the rear leg.
The belly or abdomen is the underside of the dog from the end of its rib cage to its tail.
The loin is the back between the end of the rib cage and the beginning of the pelvic bone.
Differentiating pup forelegs and hind legs
Youd think that the forelegs and hind legs of a dog would be similar, but theyre about as different as your own arms and legs:
The upper arm on the foreleg is right below the shoulder and is comprised of the humerus bone, which is similar (in name
anyway) to the one found in your own upper arm. It ends at the elbow.
The elbow is the first joint in the dogs leg located just below the chest on the back of the foreleg.
The long bone that runs after the elbow on the foreleg is the forearm. Like your arms, its comprised of the ulna and radius. The
forearm may have feathering on the back.
The wrist is the lower joint below the elbow on the foreleg.
Sometimes called the carpals, pasterns are equivalent to the bones in your hands and feet not counting fingers and toes
and dogs have them in both forelegs and hind legs.
Dogs have a foot or paw at the end of each leg, called the forefoot or hind foot depending on whether its front or back. The paw
comes with nails (sometimes called claws), paw pads, and usually dewclaws.
A dogs toes are equivalent to your fingers and toes, although you can wiggle yours more easily.
Dewclaws are vestiges of thumbs. Because dogs never figured out the opposable thumbs concept (thank goodness, too can
you imagine what mischief theyd get into with them?), these dewclaws are more or less useless appendages.
The toenails or claws on the end of each toe are actually incorporated with part of the last bone of the toes.
On the underside of the foot are several pads, including one main pad (communal pad) and a pad under each toe, for a total of
five pads. You can find stopper pads behind the wrist on your dogs forelegs as well.
The upper thigh is the part of the dogs leg situated above the knee on the hind leg.
The stifle or knee is the joint that sits on the front of the hind leg in line with the abdomen.
The lower thigh is the part of the hind leg beneath the knee to the hock (see next bullet item). Some dogs have feathering along
the back of their lower thighs and hocks.
The hock is the oddly shaped joint that makes a sharp angle at the back of the dogs legs. It corresponds with your ankle.
Bringing up the rear
At long last (especially with Dachshunds and Basset Hounds) you come to the tail end of the dog. The parts that make up your dogs
rear end include the following:
The rump (or croup) is the proverbial rear end; its where the pelvis bone is.
The tail set is where the tail attaches to the rump. Some dogs have high tail sets, others have low ones.
Everyone recognizes the dogs tail (or its absence); its usually wagging at you.
External Fish Anatomy
The following illustration of a largemouth bass shows some of the common external features that are
used to describe the differences between fish that are explained in more detail below.

Fish are animals that are cold-blooded, have fins and a backbone. Most fish have scales and breathe
with gills. Approximately, 22,000 species of fish began evolving 480 million years ago. The
largemouth bass illustrated above has the typical torpedo-like (fusiform) shape associated with many
fishes.
Fins are appendages used by the fish to maintain its position, move, steer and stop. They are either
single fins along the centerline of the fish, such as the dorsal (back) fins, caudal (tail) fin and anal
fin, or paired fins, which include the pectoral (chest) and pelvic (hip) fins. Fishes such as catfish have
another fleshy lobe behind the dorsal fin, called an adipose (fat) fin that is not illustrated here. The
dorsal and anal fins primarily help fish to not roll over onto their sides. The caudal fin is the main fin
for propulsion to move the fish forward. The paired fins assist with steering, stopping and hovering.
Scales in most bony fishes (most freshwater fishes other than gar that have ganoid scales, and
catfish which have no scales) are either ctenoid or cycloid. Ctenoid scales have jagged edges and
cycloid ones have smooth rounded edges. Bass and most other fish with spines have ctenoid scales
composed of connective tissue covered with calcium. Most fishes also have a very important mucus
layer covering the body that helps prevent infection. Anglers should be careful not to rub this "slime"
off when handling a fish that is to be released. (See Scales for more).
In many freshwater fishes the fins are supported by spines that are rigid and may be quite sharp
thus playing a defensive role. Catfish have notably hard sharp fins, of which anglers should be wary.
The soft dorsal and caudal fins are composed of rays, as are portions of other fins. Rays are less rigid
and frequently branched.
The gills are the breathing apparatus of fish and are highly vascularized giving them their bright red
cover. An operculum (gill cover) that is a flexible bony plate that protects the sensitive gills. Water is
"inhaled" through the mouth, passes over the gills and is "exhaled" from beneath the operculum.
Fish can detect color. The eyes are rounder in fish than mammals because of the refractive index of
water and focus is achieved by moving the lens in and out, not reshaping the lens as in mammals.
Paired nostrils, or nares, in fish are used to detect odors in water and can be quite sensitive. Eels and
catfish have particularly well developed senses of smell.
The mouth's shape is a good clue to what fish eat. The larger it is, the bigger the prey it can
consume. Fish have a sense of taste and may sample items to taste them before swallowing if they
are not obvious prey items. Most freshwater fishes in Florida are omnivorous (eating both plant and
animal matter). Some are primarily piscivorous (eating mostly other fish). The imported grass carp is
one of the few large fishes that are primarily herbivorous (eating plants). Fish may or may not have
teeth depending on the species. Fish like chain pickerel and gar have obvious canine-shaped teeth.
Other fish have less obvious teeth, such as the cardiform teeth in catfish which feel like a roughened
area at the front of the mouth, or vomerine teeth that are tiny patches of teeth, for example, in the
roof of a striped bass' mouth. Grass carp and other minnows have pharyngeal teeth modified from
their gill arches for grinding that are located in the throat.
The lateral line is a sensory organ consisting of fluid filled sacs with hair-like sensory apparatus that
are open to the water through a series of pores (creating a line along the side of the fish). The lateral
line primarily senses water currents and pressure, and movement in the water.
The vent is the external opening to digestive urinary and reproductive tracts. In most fish, it is
immediately in front of the anal fin.
Internal Fish Anatomy
The following illustration of a largemouth bass shows some of the common internal features that are
used to describe the differences between fish that are explained in more detail below.

As different as a man may be from a fish, both creatures share some fascinating similarities in basic
structure and function. And the closer one looks, the more complex life becomes. The smallest units
of life are microscopic cells, and some organisms--such as an ameba--are no larger than a single
cell. In larger multicellular creatures, individual cells that are similar in structure and perform a
specific function are grouped into tissues, and tissues may be grouped into even more complex and
specialized structures called organs. These organs perform the basic bodily functions such as
respiration, digestion, and sensory reception. Man and fish share such organs as the brain, stomach,
liver, and kidneys. Other organs appear in different forms in different organisms; for example, the
lungs in humans and the gills in fish are very different but both provide the same basic function of
respiration. Finally, some organs (such as the fish's swim bladder) are simply not present in man.
Below are descriptions of some of the organs identified on the above diagram, along with their
functions. A number of other vital organs, such as the spleen and pancreas, may also be present but
are smaller and more difficult to locate. A largemouth bass destined for the frying pan makes an
excellent specimen because this species is large enough for easy examination. For anglers brave
enough to do some investigating while filleting their next fish, a fascinating learning experience
awaits! Don't forget to examine the stomach content, as this can give clues to what the fish was
feeding on, where in the water column and what lures to present. For instance, small shad probably
came from open water and a shad-imitating lure may be your best bet; crayfish would suggest
working a soft plastic along the bottom.
Spine:
The primary structural framework upon which the fish's body is built; connects to the skull at the
front of the fish and to the tail at the rear. The spine is made up of numerousvertebrae, which are
hollow and house and protect the delicate spinal cord.
Spinal Cord:
Connects the brain to the rest of the body and relays sensory information from the body to the brain,
as well as instructions from the brain to the rest of the body.
Brain:
The control center of the fish, where both automatic functions (such as respiration) and higher
behaviors ("Should I eat that critter with the spinning blades?") occur. All sensory information is
processed here.
Lateral Line:
One of the fish's primary sense organs; detects underwater vibrations and is capable of determining
the direction of their source.
Swim (or Air) Bladder:
A hollow, gas-filled balance organ that allows a fish to conserve energy by maintaining neutral
buoyancy (suspending) in water. Fish caught from very deep water sometimes need to have air
released from their swim bladder before they can be released and return to deep water, due to the
difference in atmospheric pressure at the water's surface. (Most freshwater anglers in Florida need
not concern themselves with this!) Species of fish that do not possess a swim bladder sink to the
bottom if they stop swimming.
Gills:
Allow a fish to breathe underwater. These are very delicate structures and should not be touched if
the fish is to be released!
Kidney:
Filters liquid waste materials from the blood; these wastes are then passed out of the body. The
kidney is also extremely important in regulating water and salt concentrations within the fish's body,
allowing certain fish species to exist in freshwater or saltwater, and in some cases (such as snook or
tarpon) both.
Stomach and Intestines:
Break down (digest) food and absorb nutrients. Fish such as bass that are piscivorous(eat other
fish) have fairly short intestines because such food is easy to chemically break down and digest. Fish
such as tilapia that are herbivorous (eat plants) require longer intestines because plant matter is
usually tough and fibrous and more difficult to break down into usable components. A great deal
about fish feeding habits can be determined by examining stomach contents.
Pyloric Caeca:
This organ with fingerlike projections is located near the junction of the stomach and the intestines.
Its function is not entirely understood, but it is known to secrete enzymes that aid in digestion, may
function to absorb digested food, or do both.
Vent:
The site of waste elimination from the fish's body. It is also the entry to the genital tract where eggs
or sperm are released.
Liver:
This important organ has a number of functions. It assists in digestion by secreting enzymes that
break down fats, and also serves as a storage area for fats and carbohydrates. The liver also is
important in the destruction of old blood cells and in maintaining proper blood chemistry, as well as
playing a role in nitrogen (waste) excretion.
Heart:
Circulates blood throughout the body. Oxygen and digested nutrients are delivered to the cells of
various organs through the blood, and the blood transports waste products from the cells to the
kidneys and liver for elimination.
Gonads (Reproductive Organs):
In adult female bass, the bright orange mass of eggs is unmistakable during the spawning season,
but is still usually identifiable at other times of the year. The male organs, which produce milt for
fertilizing the eggs, are much smaller and white but found in the same general location. The eggs
(or roe) of certain fish are considered a delicacy, as in the case of caviar from sturgeon.
Muscles:
Provide movement and locomotion. This is the part of the fish that is usually eaten, and composes
the fillet of the fish.
If you would like more information, Sea World has a nice site about bony fishes, their anatomy and
physiology. The Florida Museum of Natural History also has an outstanding site.

Parts of a Bird


Parts of a Bird. Nick Saunders
The first step toward successful bird identification is knowing the basic parts of a bird.
Thrushes have the most common, classic bird "shape" that is easily broken into all the key
parts, each of which can be examined closely to help identify birds.
Head: The bird's head is one of the best places to look for field marks such as eye color,
malar stripes, eyebrows, eye rings, eye lines and auricular patches. The crown (top)
and nape (back) are also key parts of the head that can help identify a bird.

Bill: The size, shape and color of a bird's bill is critical for identification. Also check for any
curvature in the bill or unique markings such as differently colored tips or bands.

Chin: The chin, directly below the bill, is often hard to see on many birds, but when it is a
different color it can be an exceptional body part to check for identification.

Throat: A bird's throat may be a different color from its surrounding plumage, or it may be
marked with spots, streaks or lines. Malar stripes may frame the throat as well, helping set
it off from the rest of a bird's body. For many birds, the chin and throat have similar colors
and markings.

Neck: The neck of a bird is hard to see on many species, since it can be relatively short
and insignificant. On wading birds, however, the neck is much more prominent and can be
a good place to look for field marks. The length of the neck can also help distinguish
different bird species.

Back: A bird's back is often broad and easy to see in the right posture. Look for different
colors and markings along the back that distinguish it from the neck, rump and wings.

Chest: The chest (also called the breast) is the upright part of the bird's body between the
throat and the abdomen. A bird's chest may be differently colored or marked with stripes,
streaks or spots that can help with identification.

Abdomen: The abdomen or belly of a bird extends from the bottom of the chest to the
undertail coverts. The colors and markings on the abdomen may vary from the chest and
flanks, making it a good feature to check for identification.

Flanks: The flanks (sides) of a bird are located between the underside of the wings and the
abdomen. In many bird species, the flanks have unique colors or markings, though
depending on how the birds carry their wings, the flanks may be difficult to see.

Wings: Birds' wings are their upper limbs used for flight. Wing bars or patches are useful
field marks, as are the lengths of the wings compared to the length of the tail when the bird
is perched. In flight, wing shape is also a great field mark.

Rump: A bird's rump is the patch above the tail and low on the back. For many birds, the
rump does not stand out, but some species show unique rump color patches that are useful
for identification.

Tail: The length, shape and colors of a bird's tail are important for proper identification. The
tail can be held in different positions when the bird is perched or flying, however, and
watching for different markings can help distinguish different birds.

Undertail Coverts: The short feathers beneath the tail are the undertail coverts, and these
feathers often show unique colors or markings that can distinguish bird species.

Legs: Birds' legs vary in length and color, both of which can be useful field marks for proper
identification. The thickness of the leg, while difficult to see on many species, can also be a
clue, as can any feathering. Some raptors, for example, have heavily feathered legs that
can be used to identify the birds.

Feet: Many birds' feet are the same color as their legs, but not always. The orientation of
the toes, the size of the talons and how a bird uses its feet are also useful identification
characteristics.
By learning the specific parts of a bird, you can learn to check those parts for field markings,
unique colors and other distinguishing characteristics that can lead to an accurate
identification of each species you see.