Comparative vertebrate anatomy

Comparative vertebrate anatomyLecture 2 GENERAL VERTEBRATE BODY PLANVertebrate Body Plana) Regional Differentiation

1) The typical vertebrate body has three regions: head, trunk, and tail.

Vertebrate Body Plana) Regional Differentiation

1] The head contains the brain, a number, of special sense organs, often jaws, and gills in fishes for respiration.

2] The trunk contains the Coelom, a body cavity that houses the visceral organs.a} The coelom is surrounded by the body wall.1} The body wall consists of muscle, vertebrae, and ribs primarily.

Vertebrate Body Plana) Regional Differentiation

b} The trunks of the Gnathostomata, the jawed vertebrates and most numerous vertebrates, will typically have paired pelvic and pectoral appendages (ex; fins, wings, legs).

c} Many vertebrates have a Neck. The neck is a narrow structure connecting the head to the trunk.

Vertebrate Body Plana) Regional Differentiation

3] The tail is postanal in vertebrates meaning that it originates posterior to the anus.

a} The tail is present all embryonic vertebrates but may be lacking in the adult form.

Vertebrate Body Planb) Bilateral Symmetry

1) Bilateral symmetry means that the vertebrate body can be divided into two equal right and left hand portions.

2) This allows vertebrate anatomy to be studied by dividing the body into Planes.

There are three major planes of the body:

Vertebrate Body Plan1] Transverse Plane (aka; horizontal plane, cross section) a plane running horizontally (left to right) dividing the body into inferior and superior portions.

Vertebrate Body Plan2] Sagittal Plane - a vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions.

a} Midsagittal (or Median Sagittal) Plane - runs along the midline of the body.

b} Parasagittal Plane - runs at other than the midline of the body.

3] Frontal Plane (aka; Coronal Plane) - a vertical plane which divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.