Canine Anatomy and Physiology
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Canine Acupressure course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Canine Anatomy and Physiology Glossary #
Canine Anatomy and Physiology Glossary
A #
A
Anatomy #
The study of the structure of an organism, in this case, dogs.
Acupressure #
The practice of applying pressure to specific points on the body to promote healing and relieve pain.
Acupoint #
A specific point on the body where acupressure is applied.
Adrenal Glands #
Glands located near the kidneys that produce hormones such as adrenaline.
Artery #
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.
Auricular Acupressure #
A form of acupressure that focuses on points on the ears.
B #
B
Blood Pressure #
The force of blood against the walls of the arteries.
Bladder Meridian #
An energy pathway in the body associated with the bladder.
Blood Vessels #
Tubes that carry blood throughout the body.
Bone Marrow #
Tissue found in the center of bones that produces blood cells.
C #
C
Cardiovascular System #
The system of the body responsible for pumping and circulating blood.
Cell #
The basic unit of life.
Circulatory System #
The system responsible for circulating blood and lymph throughout the body.
Colon Meridian #
An energy pathway in the body associated with the colon.
D #
D
Digestive System #
The system responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
Dog #
A domesticated carnivorous mammal.
Endocrine System #
The system of glands that produce hormones.
Energetics #
The study of the flow of energy in the body.
Excretory System #
The system responsible for removing waste from the body.
F #
F
Fascia #
Connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs.
Feline #
A domesticated carnivorous mammal.
Frontal Plane #
An imaginary plane that divides the body into front and back halves.
G #
G
Gallbladder Meridian #
An energy pathway in the body associated with the gallbladder.
Gastrointestinal System #
The system responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Genitourinary System #
The system responsible for reproduction and waste removal.
H #
H
Heart Meridian #
An energy pathway in the body associated with the heart.
Hindlimb #
The back legs of an animal.
Hormone #
Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate various bodily functions.
I #
I
Immune System #
The body's defense system against infection and disease.
Inflammation #
The body's response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain.
Innervation #
The supply of nerves to a specific body part.
J #
J
Joint #
The point where two bones meet.
K #
K
Kidneys #
Organs responsible for filtering waste from the blood to create urine.
L #
L
Ligament #
Tough bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones.
Lymphatic System #
The system responsible for draining excess fluid from tissues and fighting infection.
M #
M
Muscle #
Tissue that contracts to produce movement.
Meridian #
An energy pathway in the body along which acupressure points are located.
N #
N
Nervous System #
The system of the body responsible for transmitting signals between different parts of the body.
Neuron #
A nerve cell.
O #
O
Organ #
A structure made up of different tissues that performs a specific function.
Oxygen #
A gas necessary for cellular respiration.
P #
P
Phlegm #
A concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine related to the accumulation of fluids in the body.
Point of Reference #
A fixed point used to describe the location of other structures in the body.
Pressure Point #
A specific point on the body where pressure can be applied to relieve pain or promote healing.
Q #
Q
Qi #
Energy flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
R #
R
Respiratory System #
The system responsible for breathing and gas exchange.
Reproductive System #
The system responsible for reproduction.
S #
S
Skeletal System #
The system of bones and cartilage that provides structure and support to the body.
Spine #
The central support structure of the body, made up of vertebrae.
Stomach Meridian #
An energy pathway in the body associated with the stomach.
T #
T
Tendon #
Tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Thoracic Cavity #
The chest cavity, containing the heart and lungs.
U #
U
Urinary System #
The system responsible for removing waste from the blood and producing urine.
V #
V
Vein #
Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Vertebral Column #
The series of vertebrae that make up the spine.
W #
W
White Blood Cells #
Cells of the immune system that help fight infection.
X #
X
Xiphoid Process #
The small piece of cartilage at the lower end of the sternum.
Y #
Y
Yin #
One of the fundamental concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine, representing darkness, coldness, and passivity.
Yang #
The opposite of Yin, representing light, warmth, and activity.
Z #
Z
Zang Fu #
The organs and their associated functions in Traditional Chinese Medicine.