Anatomical References for Canine Fitness

Understanding canine bony landmarks and anatomical references can help ensure that your dog is meeting the proper alignment points during canine fitness exercises.

 

Contents:

 

Axial Skeleton

The axial skeleton refers to the central part of the skeleton, which includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.


The spine can be further divided into 5 sections:

  • Cervical: The part of the spine that makes up the neck.  Both dogs and cats have 7 cervical vertebrae.

  • Thoracic: The part of the spine that attaches to the ribcage.  Both dogs and cats have 13 thoracic vertebrae. 

  • Lumbar:  The part of the spine between the ribcage and pelvis.  Both dogs and cats have 7 lumbar vertebrae.

  • Sacrum:  The part of the spine between the two wings of the pelvis.  Both dogs and cats have 3 sacral vertebrae that are fused together.

  • Caudal Vertebrae:  The spinal vertebrae that make up the tail.  The number of vertebrae depends on how long the pet’s tail is!

 

Appendicular Skeleton – Thoracic Limb

The appendicular skeleton refers to the portion of the skeleton that includes the bones of the limbs, and the bones that connect them to the axial skeleton.  

 

Thoracic Limb:  A limb attached to the thorax (ribcage).  This refers to the dog or cat’s forelegs.thoracic limb

skeletal anatomy art courtesy of Bark and Bone

 

Canine Bony Landmarks – Thoracic Limb:

Landmarks are specific anatomical features or prominences on the dog or cat’s body that are used as reference points for fitness & massage.

Canine Thoracic Bony Landmarks

  1. “Withers”: This is the highest part of the shoulder; the dorsal border of the scapula

  2. Spine of Scapula:  Prominent bony ridge in the middle of the scapula

  3. Shoulder Joint: A “ball and socket” joint between the glenoid cavity of the scapula and the head of a humerus

  4. Point of Shoulder:  Proximal (upper) point of the humerus near the shoulder joint

  5. Elbow Joint: A “hinge” joint that connects the humerus to the radius & ulna

  6. Olecranon:  Prominent point of the ulna bone, near the elbow joint

  7. Carpal Joint:  The dog’s “wrist” joint

 

Appendicular Skeleton – Pelvic Limb

The appendicular skeleton refers to the portion of the skeleton that includes the bones of the limbs, and the bones that connect them to the axial skeleton. 

 

Pelvic Limb:  A limb attached to the pelvis.  This refers to the dog or cat’s hindlegs.

pelvic limb
skeletal anatomy art courtesy of Bark and Bone

 

 

Canine Bony Landmarks – Pelvic Limb:

Landmarks are specific anatomical features or prominences on the dog or cat’s body that are used as reference points for fitness & massage.

Pelvic Landmarks

 

  1. Iliac Crest:  Prominent bony ridge located on the cranial-dorsal portion of the pelvis

  2. Hip Joint: Connects the femur to the pelvis

  3. Ischial Tuberosity: A bony prominence located at the caudal portion of the pelvis

  4. Patella: The “kneecap”

  5. Stifle Joint: This is the dog’s knee joint. It connects the femur, patella, and tibia

  6. Point of Hock: The bony protuberance of the tarsus (hock); analogous to the human heel

  7. Tibiotarsal Joint:  Synonyms for this joint include tarsocrural joint, talocrural joint, ankle joint, and hock joint.  It is the joint between the tibia/fibula and the talus/calcaneus.

 

Canine Anatomical References Conclusion:

Having a basic understanding of the dog (or cat’s) spinal segments, and the landmarks on both their thoracic and pelvic limbs, can help the canine conditioning or feline fitness enthusiast ensure that their pet is meeting the correct alignment points with fitness training.