Cat anatomy: structure of the body and organs, interesting facts

The mustachioed pets captivated the ancient Egyptians with their grace and majesty, so they were revered for a long time on a par with the gods. But even now, people continue to clean out cat litter boxes and feed their pets at 6 am if they refuse to eat alone. In addition to love, the level of responsibility also increases.

The modern owner knows much more about the body of his cat than the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt, but is constantly learning something new. And this is not surprising! Some facts about anatomy are not only useful, but also so stunning that they are definitely worth sharing with your friends.

general characteristics

These predators carry their young for about 2 months, feed them milk and sometimes show amazing care for their offspring.
There are many books and manuals on the maintenance, care, and nutrition of our pets. There are many more such books regarding dogs, which is associated with the development of service dog breeding. One of the best works on the anatomy and physiology of dogs (K. S. Stogov) is contained in all instructions for the training and education of service dogs.

Cats didn’t become service cats, but that doesn’t make people love them any less. Existing atlases of anatomy and physiology in pictures of dogs and cats provide a complete understanding of the similarities of these animals.

Structural features associated with upright walking

As evolution progressed, the skeleton underwent many changes:

1. Specific S-like curves that provide balance.
2. Increased mobility of the upper limbs.
3. Reduction in chest size.
4. The advantage of the cerebral part of the skull over the facial part. This is due to the development of human intellectual abilities.
5. Expansion of the pelvic bone.
6. Advantage of the lower extremities over the upper (this is due to an increased need for movement).

In general, we can say that under the influence of evolution, the human skeleton has succumbed to many modifications, many of them improved. Thanks to this process, today each of us can perform even the most complex tasks.

How to protect your pet from bone problems

The skeleton of cats and dogs begins to form in the second and last third of the mother's pregnancy, and continues to develop until the animal reaches puberty. But even after this, the skeleton does not remain constant; many factors can influence the bones.

That is why caring for your pet’s skeleton begins with proper and complete feeding of the mother. A growing body requires sufficient amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the diet. In this case, there should be more calcium than phosphorus. With an excess of phosphorus and a lack of calcium, the latter is washed out of the bone tissue and the “butcher’s dog effect” or hyperparathyroidism is observed. Excess calcium will also not be beneficial; it contributes to disturbances in the formation of cartilage.

It should be remembered that calcium is absorbed only in the presence of vitamin D. As is known, the body produces it under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. But an excess of vitamin can be very dangerous - it leads to kidney damage and digestive disorders.

Thus, an animal of any age needs a balanced diet that meets the body’s needs.

But there are other factors that influence the formation of the skeleton. Thus, early castration stops the production of sex hormones, which can cause bone underdevelopment. Long-term use of diuretics, corticosteroids, or antibiotics leads to bone loss of calcium, interruption of vitamin K production, and demineralization of bones.

Prevention of bone diseases in cats

1. Reasonable physical activity.
   Bone tissue is strong in those cats that live an active life, but couch potato animals have brittle bones;
2. Consumption of foods rich in calcium
   (milk, parsley and green vegetables, sea fish, buckwheat, some wheat bran);
3. Taking foods containing vitamin D
   (sea fish, chicken and beef liver, egg yolk, fermented milk products), or supplements with this vitamin. Plus frequent or at least periodic exposure to the sun;
4. Eliminating salt from the cat's menu.
   In fact, every product that ends up in a cat’s bowl already contains a sufficient amount of sodium chloride, and therefore there is no need to add additional salt to the food. This white crystalline food additive makes bones fragile, and also harms kidney function, negatively affects the blood vessels and heart of cats, promotes weight gain and retention, and damages vision;
5. Controlling your cat's weight.
   The more a cat weighs, the harder it is on its skeleton. An obese pet should be put on a low-calorie diet, but only after consulting a veterinarian, who will identify the cause of excess weight gain (often obesity in mustachioed pets is not due to overeating, but due to hormonal disorders caused by a malfunction of the pancreas or thyroid glands. which will require the use of medications);
6. Seek immediate medical attention in case of injury.
   Unfortunately, our pets are not immune from accidents: an unsuccessful fall from a height (yes, cats do not always land successfully when falling), a fight with dogs, a collision with a car or bicycle, and so on. The same untreated crack in the bone is fraught with many complications: a fracture of the bone or its improper fusion, deformation of the damaged part of the skeleton, which will certainly negatively affect the quality of the animal’s motor activity.

The important role of the shoulder joints

Another important factor in the flexibility of the animal is the peculiarity of the attachment of the shoulder blades. This bone is attached to the rest of the body solely with the help of muscles.

In a human or dog, on the other hand, the shoulder blades are part of the connecting joint that connects the shoulder and upper limb (arm in a person or front leg in a dog) to the body.

The different physiology of the scapula from humans allows cats to extend their stride even further when running. Their loosely attached shoulder blades, along with small, vestigial clavicles, allow the animal to squeeze into tiny and narrow spaces.

The next time you see a cat in some crazy, contorted position, or when the animal squirms out of your hands like a crazy snake, don't forget to thank the cat's spine and shoulders for allowing you to do such things.

Intelligence test for cats

Place one treat under a cup to your left and another treat under another cup to your right. Point to the cup you want the cat to go to. Give her her favorite treat only if she goes in the direction you want her to go to the right cup. Do this 10 times.

How often has she chosen the right spot because you pointed it out to her and not because she smelled it? (A)

seven out of ten approaches;
(b)
less than seven approaches.

Task 2: Hide your favorite toy

Show your cat her favorite toy, and then place the toy behind a piece of furniture where your cat can reach. Watch her behavior. Cat (s)

immediately takes the toy;
(b)
remains in its place?

Task 3: Problem Solving Ability

Place a treat or toy in an egg carton and see if your cat can open the box. How quickly can she do it? (A)

quickly
(b)
slowly

Task 4: Can the cat understand your behavior?

Sit on the floor

Ignore your cat for one minute, then pay attention to his behavior for one minute. Does behavior change depending on your attention to the animal? In other words, she: (a) interacts with you in some way; (b) ignores you

Task 5: Can your cat recognize shapes?

Cut out a big circle

and

cardboard square Place the pieces in front of your cat. First, reward her for stepping on any piece.

Choose one shape that you want your cat to recognize. If it's a circle, only give your cat a treat when she touches the circle. What's Happening: Your Cat (s)

quickly understands that you need to touch the figure you need
(b)
rarely does this.

Test results:

If she completed most of the tasks well, then your cat is a fast learner.

If she performed poorly on most of the tasks (b), try to stimulate her more to develop her intelligence

Structure of the skull: skull and facial part, teeth, differences between the skull of a cat and a cat

The cat's skull consists of 2 sections. The first, the brain, is formed by 11 bones, the second, the facial, which includes the nasal and oral cavities, is formed by 13 bones. In total, the skull of these animals consists of 29 bones. Compared to the facial ones, they are much larger in size.

Unlike other predators, cats have much fewer teeth. Due to this feature, the cat's skull has a rounded shape (see picture). The size and shape of the skull is determined by the animal’s belonging to a particular breed or existing hereditary characteristics.

Thus, Persians, exotics and representatives of the Himalayan breed are classified as brachycephalic. This term refers to those with a shortened cranium and, as a result, an abnormal structure of the palate, larynx and trachea. It is these anatomical features that cause the common problems with nasal breathing, snoring, intolerance to exercise and high temperatures in these animals.

Characteristic features of the cat's skull are large eye sockets and narrowly spaced fangs, intended for hunting small animals. The powerful jaw of representatives of this family, which has a straight and pincer bite, is equipped with different types of teeth. Their number in an adult is 30 pieces. Kittens at 3-4 weeks of age already grow 26 sharp teeth. Completely milk units are replaced by primary ones at 5–6 months.

Cat skull

By the skull you can easily determine who exactly it belongs to - a cat or a female cat. The male's skull is much larger and wider than that of the female.

Annual life cycle

The life of rabbits is conventionally divided into certain stages:

• Embryonic development - from conception with the formation of the body to birth; lasts about a month.
• Childhood - from birth to the onset of puberty (up to about 3 months).
• Maturity occurs with the onset of puberty (depending on breed and physiology) and lasts up to 5-6 years. This is the main time for the animal to fully mature with the ability to reproduce.
• Old age occurs after the loss of reproductive properties and continues until the death of the animal (about 1-3 years).

Summing up the above information, we can say with confidence that rabbits are very developed animals, the structure of which is very similar in structure to most mammals on the planet. But in order for breeding eared pets to be beneficial and enjoyable, you need to know their physiological characteristics. Only by taking into account all the nuances will it be possible to properly organize life and create comfort for the animals.

Brain and endocrine system

The brain is the central organ of the nervous system. It analyzes the signals received through the nerve endings and converts them into commands that it gives to the animal’s body. Although this organ makes up 1% of a cat's body weight, it uses about 20% of the blood pumped by the heart muscle.

The brain is made up of neurons. The two hemispheres are responsible for the animal's emotions, learning and behavior. The cerebellum is responsible for movement. The brain is attached to the peripheral nervous system via the brainstem. Cats do not rely entirely on instinct. They learn to interact with the outside world and other living beings. The cat's behavior can be corrected. Little kittens need socialization and constant contact with humans, otherwise they will become wild. At an older age, it will be much more difficult to accustom them.

Hormones play a major role in the functioning of a cat’s body. The hypothalamus produces antidiuretic hormone (affects the composition of urine), corticoliberin (thanks to this hormone, the adrenal glands secrete cortisol in response to danger), oxytocin (affects milk production, and also plays an important role during pregnancy and childbirth). The pituitary gland produces growth hormones.

The adrenal glands are an important part of the endocrine system. They secrete cortisol, which helps to respond to injuries in a timely manner. They also secrete epinephrine, this hormone regulates the heart rate, and the frequency of dilation of blood vessels also depends on it.

Sense organs

With the help of its senses, a cat interacts with the world around it: smells, touches, tastes.

Vision

Cats have the largest eyes among domestic animals. Developed peripheral vision helps the animal notice small details and not lose sight of prey. The strongly protruding cornea creates a large viewing angle of 250 degrees. It is also noted that animals are able to distinguish colors, although a limited number - about 6.

Cat skull

Another interesting point is the structure of the cat’s skull. Its two parts, the facial section and the brain, have almost the same dimensions, and consist of approximately the same number of bones: 13 and 11, respectively.

If you describe in more detail what the skeleton of the skull looks like, you will get the following picture. The shape of the skull is oval. Has huge eye sockets and a powerful jaw. The teeth are sharp, the bite is pincer-like. These features characterize the cat as a predator that can navigate well even at night. Can cope with any prey, easily overcome the hard bones and tough muscles of the prey. The lower jaw is suspended and consists of two parts: vertical and horizontal.

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The structural features and size of the cat's skull skeleton depend on its breed. This is where the most revealing characteristics of different breeds are.

What else is interesting? Predator teeth. There are fangs sharp as a dagger. Another name for them is for fishing. It is with them that the cat is dexterous in hunting, she grabs prey. There are also teeth with jagged edges. These are the indigenous ones. The predator uses them to cut up its prey. The role of the front ones is for biting.

The cat's skeleton and teeth characterize the cat as a first-class hunter, successful and strong. This should tell you what to feed your pet and what should be included in her diet.

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What is the role and what bones does each section consist of?

The cat's cervical skeleton consists of seven large vertebrae. It performs the function of supporting the head. Of course, both muscles and tendons help cope with this function. But what's amazing is that each part has movable joints, which allows the cat to freely move its head 180 degrees. Such freedom is also possible because the cat’s collarbone is not formed: it is small and not attached to the skeleton.

The conical chest consists of 13 vertebrae. Ribs are attached to them. An amazing feature of a cat’s physiology is its “false” ribs. The third part of the ribs is not attached to the thoracic vertebra at all. This phenomenon is common in all cats and is what allows the skeleton to be so flexible.

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The lumbar region consists of the largest vertebrae, there are 7 of them, and the closer they are to the tail, the larger they are. The anatomy of a cat's skeleton is surprising in that the bones of its skeleton are especially dense. But this does not prevent them from being plastic. Why? Cartilaginous intervertebral pads provide elasticity of the joints and give the cat a huge advantage in movement.

Each vertebra has processes. It is to them that the muscles are attached. Muscles, ligaments and tendons play a huge role. They hold all the internal organs of the sternum. In addition, the front legs do not have a strong bone connection with the skeleton. They are connected by tendons and muscles. A cat's limbs are also unique. The front paws, due to the peculiarities of their anatomical structure, can turn at an unimaginable angle.

The caudal region of different cat breeds may differ in the number of vertebrae. We can only name two extreme numbers: 19 (Maine Coons) and 28 (mostly for all other breeds). The tail for a cat is of great importance:

• Movement coordination;
• Sense of balance;
• "Communicative" functions.

It is thanks to this part of the skeleton. The cat falls on its paws, walks along the edge of thin planes, and is agile in jumping. But every pet owner knows that the tail will always “tell” about the desires and mood of the cat.

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Cat skeleton: photo and description

Claws are attached to the last phalanges of the fingers. In a calm state, cat claws are hidden in special bags.

The wrists have good mobility and can rotate. The elbows of the paws bend back. The girdle of the forelimbs consists of the scapula, ulna, humerus and radius bones, paw and wrist.

The hind limbs are rigidly attached to the sacrum. Bones are stronger and longer. The paws have four toes.

The first looks like a keratinized skin formation. The knees bend forward. The girdle of the hind limbs includes the pelvic and femoral bones, the tibia and fibula, kneecaps, metatarsals, tarsals, and phalanges of the fingers.

Skull and teeth

The skull is small, round in shape, consists of the brain and facial sections, developed approximately equally. The brain section consists of 11 strong large elements, the facial section of 13. The eye sockets are large. The fragile and small bones of the inner ear form the auditory system.

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The jaws are short and powerful. The upper part is suspended from the skull. The teeth are sharp, dagger-shaped. When biting and chewing food, the molars are involved. Incisors are primarily used for grooming.

Skeleton or skeletal system

Of course, the study of dog anatomy begins with the structure of the dog’s skeleton. The skeleton of a dog is the basis on which all the internal organs and muscles of the dog exist. Each component of the skeleton requires special consideration.

Dog skull: structure

There are facial and brain parts, which contain paired and unpaired bones.

Paired dice:

• frontal;
• parietal;
• temporal;
• incisal;
• lower jaw;
• nasal;
• palatal;
• zygomatic;
• maxillary;
• lacrimal

Expanded dog skull with explanations

Unpaired bones:

• interparietal;
• lattice;
• wedge-shaped;
• sublingual;
• vomer;
• pterygoid;
• occipital

Important! The dog's skull consists of 27 bones, which are connected by cartilage tissue. The older the pet, the more the cartilage becomes ossified, and only the lower jaw retains mobility of the head.

There are 3 types of dog skulls:

• dolichocephalic. Representatives are Italian greyhounds, greyhounds, etc.;
• brachycephalic. In this case, it is a pug, a dwarf spitz, a Yorkshire terrier, a chihuahua, etc.;
• mesocephalic. It is found in huskies, shepherd dogs, as well as in the dachshund breed, etc.

For your information! The third type makes up approximately 75% of all breeds.

The differences become visible in the structure of the front part. So, for example, in brachycephalic breeds the muzzle has a flattened shape, and the jaw protrudes forward. This structure of the dog affects its health. In veterinary medicine, the main cause is related to the respiratory tract.

Limb structure

A dog's paws have a complex structure. So:

• the pads serve as shock absorbers. They reduce the stress on the dog's bones and joints and allow him to maintain balance. The pads contain a significant layer of adipose tissue, thanks to which animals do not freeze even in the coldest weather;
• there are phalanges on the fingers, and their description deserves separate consideration. So, 4 fingers have 3 phalanges, and 1 has only 2. There are five fingers on the front paws, and four on the hind paws. There are also vestigial toes, that is, external ones, which are located on the hind legs above the foot. There is no stress on them, but they characterize the quality mark of some dogs, for example, Briards, Beaucerons.

Important! The owner should monitor the condition of the pet's nails especially carefully. So, too long nails interfere with walking and can even deform the skeleton

Beautiful dog paws enlarged

Body structure

The dog's body includes the vertebral section and ribs, which are connected to each other. A skeleton is attached to all this. The dog's spine consists of four components:

• cervical vertebrae;
• thoracic region;
• lumbar region;
• the sacrum, which extends to the tail and anus.

Spine structure

The pet's body consists of a torso axis and ribs that form the skeleton. The spine is formed from several sections:

• cervical;
• chest;
• lumbar;
• sacral.

At the base of the tail there are 20-23 movable vertebrae. It is the ribs that protect the heart and lungs and, depending on the type of breed, have different curvature. The lumbar vertebrae are large, due to which muscles and tendons are securely attached to them.

For your information! Many dog ​​breeders are often interested in how many ribs a dog has. The chest consists of 13 pairs of ribs.

Structure of teeth

The teeth are used to grind the food received and protect the owner. Dogs are born without teeth. They erupt only at the age of 2-3 weeks. The tooth that appears during this period is temporary. It falls out at the age of 4-5 months, and only after that permanent ones begin to appear.

A set of teeth is formed by:

• incisors. There are 6 of them. on each jaw;
• fangs - 2 on both jaws;
• premolars. There are 4 of them on both jaws;
• two molars on each side of the upper jaw and three lower.

General view of the teeth of an adult dog

External structure of a cat

The anatomical structure of a cat is incredibly organic and cannot but please the eye. Small size, cute face, soft paws, long flexible tail, fluffy fur - all this distinguishes cats from other animals. All parts of the body of these animals have their own charm and practical purpose, but at the same time they can hide certain secrets. For example, paws at first glance are completely harmless, but they hide the main weapon - the ability to release claws. Just like the cat itself, a seemingly affectionate pet, but at the same time a real predator.

Cat head

Eyes

The structure of a cat’s eye differs little from that of a human and a cat sees according to the same principle as we do – it reacts to light. The pupil tends to increase or decrease with the help of a special muscle, and its size depends on the amount of light. In the dark, a cat sees with the help of a special layer of the choroid - tapetum. It serves as a mirror that reflects the light received by the eyes, and due to this, vision is sharpened. The tapetum is also the reason why a cat's eyes glow in the dark.

Ears

The structure of a cat's ear allows it to detect more than 100 sounds, including ultrasonic sounds, with the help of which cats communicate with kittens. The auditory canals also contain an incredible number of nerve endings and more than 10 muscles. This is why cats can change the position of their ears on their heads - press them down, bend them, turn them towards the sound, etc.

Language

The structure of a cat's tongue is of some interest, primarily due to the fact that the animal manages to drink only with its help. The tongue is long, very flexible and, unlike, for example, a dog’s, very rough. The “sandpaper” effect occurs due to the keratinized papillae, which help retain food and also act as a kind of brush for cleaning the fur. In addition, the tongue performs a function that is familiar to us - recognizing the tastes of food. A cat can taste salty, bitter, sweet and sour.

Jaws and teeth

The structure of teeth in cats is of great importance, since teeth are one of the most important tools for hunting or, conversely, protection. An adult cat has 30 teeth, which are symmetrically located on the upper and lower jaw. The main tool for catching prey is 4 fangs - these are the longest and sharpest teeth of a cat, 2 on each jaw on the sides of the incisors. With the help of incisors, cats tear off pieces of food, but cats' jaws are not adapted for chewing, so food begins to break down already in the oral cavity under the influence of saliva.

cat body

According to their build, cats are divided into three types: heavy, light and medium. The severe type is characterized by the presence of a large cat head on a short neck, a wide chest and rather short legs and tail. Lightweight - with a slender body, a long neck and a narrow head, as well as a long tail and paws. The medium type is somewhere between heavy and light, and most cats, especially non-pedigree cats, are of the medium type. But the appearance, weight and size of a cat does not depend on its build; there are both representatives of the heavy type, but small in size, and large slender cats.

Paws and claws

The structure of a cat's paw is especially curious because the claws can extend or retract. Cats have 5 toes on their front paws, but one is shortened and does not reach the ground. There are only 4 toes on the hind legs, the big one is missing. It is also noteworthy that the cat walks only on its toes, which, of course, contributes to noiseless movement. A cat's paws concentrate all the sweat glands and many nerve endings, so the cat can also receive information by touching an object with its paw.

The structure of the claw is unique; most breeds have crescent-shaped claws, with the exception of Persian cats with claws that are more reminiscent of hooks, which pose a particular danger when scratching, as they get under the skin.

Tail

The structure of a cat's tail is usually divided into 3 parts: the root, the stem (actually, the tail itself) and the tip. The root consists of 4-6 short and wide vertebrae, the stem of 10-15, which are cylindrical in shape, and at the tip there are 5-7 of the thinnest and smallest vertebrae, the very last of which may be undeveloped, often sharp. Between the vertebrae there are cartilages and joints, they provide the tail with flexibility and mobility. The tail can help a cat maintain balance, but its significance is more visual, and it is also one of the tools of the cat's language.

Navigating in space

Finally, it is worth mentioning what a cat’s sense organs are made of. This includes not only the eyes, ears and nose, but also the tongue and whiskers.

The vision of a genius

Whiskered pets see perfectly in the dark, distinguish 3 colors (red, blue, green) and as many as 25 shades of gray. The mysterious glow of their huge eyes at night is explained by the tapetum - a special vascular layer located behind the retina.

Thanks to the convex cornea, the viewing angle of these animals is almost 270°, so with the help of their necks they are able to assess the situation at all 360°.

Whiskers

The tactile function is performed by vibrissae, that is, cat whiskers. In fact, they also belong to hairs, but their follicles lie much deeper than the guard coat and undercoat. They actively interact with nerve impulses, determining the surrounding temperature, perceiving signals of pain and pleasant touches.

These tactile hairs are found not only on the face, but also on the hind legs. Because of this, mustachioed pets actively shake them when they step in the mud or enter the water.

Pulling or cutting mustaches is strictly prohibited. In addition to acute pain, the animal may permanently lose its tactile function, which will affect orientation in space and mental health.

Nose-sniffer

The cat's nose contains 80 million olfactory receptors, so its sensitivity is 2 times higher than that of humans. Additionally, the Jacobson's organ, a small tube located on the upper palate, is responsible for the perception of odors.

Another interesting fact is that the imprint of a wet cat’s nose, like the pads of human fingers, is unique. Thanks to this, it can easily be classified as biometric data.

Ears-on-top

The developed hearing of furry pets even detects ultrasound. Its ears, consisting of an outer, middle and inner part, are responsible for this. The task of the first is to collect sound, the second is to transmit a sound signal, and the third is to convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses.

Thanks to this feature, animals moving to the dacha in the summer can easily find their way back during their walks. Having moved away 3 km, they perfectly hear the voices of their owners and other sounds associated with a country house.

Tongue - lover of food

Despite night vision, an excellent sense of smell and acute hearing, cats are inferior to us in some ways. The tongue has only 473 taste buds, while the human tongue has as many as 9,000.

Whiskered pets are good at distinguishing sour, salty and bitter foods, but almost unable to detect sweet ones. The love for ice cream is explained by its similarity to milk, familiar from childhood. For this reason, treats should be avoided as animals become lactose intolerant as adults.

Separately, it is worth noting 2 special receptors that are not typical for humans. One recognizes the taste of umami, that is, monosodium glutamate, and the second recognizes the taste of water. This is why cats often steal sausages and have a special love for unstagnant tap water.

Heart

The heart is the main organ in the circulatory system. It is formed by muscle tissue and has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The average weight of a cat's heart is about six-tenths of a percent of the animal's total body weight. A cat has two circuits of blood circulation:

1. Big. Arteries carry blood to all organs and tissues of the body. They are entangled in a network of capillaries through which metabolism occurs. Veins return blood to the heart.
2. Small. The pulmonary artery moves blood to the alveoli of the lungs. There it is saturated with oxygen and sent through the pulmonary vein back to the heart.

The cat's brain in the evolution of the cat family

In terms of its dimensions, a cat is a miniature creature, the exception, of course, is the Maine Coon breed. However, it is wrong to think that if an animal is smaller than a person, it means it is stupider and less intellectually developed than a person. Scientists have proven that the mass of this biological computer does not affect intelligence at all. In addition, its structure has existed without any significant changes for tens of millions of years. Even the first representatives of the cat family on Earth had exactly the same structure of this organ. They were replaced by the ancestors of lions, tigers, panthers, etc. And then these representatives themselves. It is worth noting that the filling of a lion’s skull in its structure is an exact copy of the filling of the skull of any domestic or street cat. The differences are only due to the habitat and body mass. The greater the body weight, the greater the functions of the trunk that need to be controlled, the more space in the skull for “gray matter”

Nervous system

It is customary to divide the nervous system into two parts.

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In fact, this division is very arbitrary; many components of the nervous system can be classified into both categories. The main purpose of the nervous system is to control and manage the actions of the entire organism.

Such control can occur at the request of the cat (voluntarily) or involuntarily. For example, when an animal hunts, it controls the muscles, bringing them into the most suitable position for jumping. A corresponding signal is sent to the brain, and from it, in turn, instructions come to the muscles. As a result, the cat jumps as accurately as possible.

Involuntary processes include breathing, digestion, blood circulation, and the work of internal organs. The animal cannot control these functions. They are regulated by the autonomic nervous system, consisting of sympathetic and parasympathetic parts.

The first of them is responsible for vigorous activity (a rush of blood to the muscles, increased breathing and heart rate, raising the hair on end, dilation of the pupils). It turns on when the animal is worried about something (for example, it senses danger). The second one acts exactly the opposite. It works when the cat is at rest, resting.

General structure and functions of the cat skeleton

The skeleton of a cat is similar to that of a dog, except for certain distinctive features. It is characterized by a larger number of segments responsible for the plasticity and mobility of the torso of representatives of this family.

The horizontal arrangement of the totality of the bones of the cat’s body determines the special position and shape of each element that forms the bone apparatus. These factors distinguish cats from upright creatures such as humans.

The skeleton of representatives of the cat family includes 40 more segments than the human one. The average number of seeds that form it is from 244 to 250 pieces. These are indicative figures. A number of sources indicate that the number of bones varies between 230–236. This difference in these data is explained by the fact that some bones fused together are considered as a single element.

The length of the animal's tail depends on the number of bones in the cat's skeleton. This organ contains almost 1/10 of all the bones in the cat’s body. On average it contains about 26 vertebrae. The totality of bones in the body of representatives of the cat family has 2 sections: axial and peripheral. The first includes the skull, spine and chest, the second - the limbs.

General information

What is the anatomy of a cat's skeleton? As mentioned above, the animal’s body is divided into regions. In the head there is a face and a skull. The latter contains the anterosuperior part, the crown, the back of the head, the forehead, and the temple. The face is distinguished by the intermaxillary, buccal, orbital, oral, buccal and nasal regions. The cat's neck runs from the back of the head to the shoulder blade. The body is divided into a chest with a corresponding cavity and a back. The mammary glands are located on the chest. The back is divided into two vertebral regions. One is thoracic, the second is interscapular. In the last one on the left, in the area of ​​the elbow joint, there is a cardiac part. The abdomen is divided into posterior, middle and anterior regions. The first contains the inguinal and pubic segments. The abdomen passes into the pelvic region. It includes the ischial, gluteal and sacral parts. The limbs of the animal are divided into pelvic and thoracic. The cat's toes have retractable claws. The animal steps on the lower part - the pads.

Blood

The bulk of blood is a clear, yellowish liquid called plasma. It is she who transports all substances throughout the body. Its volume is replenished by fluid absorbed in the large intestine.

Thirty to forty-five percent of the blood is made up of red cells (corpuscles) - erythrocytes. Their function is to transport oxygen.

Blood also contains leukocytes (white blood cells) and platelets. The former serve to protect against various microorganisms and toxic substances. The second ones are responsible for blood clotting.

There are only three blood types in cats:

• A (most common);
• B;
• AB (rare).

Leather and wool

The skin and coat protect the cat’s body from external influences: germs, overheating and hypothermia.

The cat's skin protects the body from harmful environmental influences

There are two main layers in a cat's skin:

1. Epidermis is the top layer of skin.
2. The dermis, inside which there are blood capillaries, hair follicles, nerve endings that transmit signals, as well as sebaceous glands that respond to nerve signals. Each hair follicle has its own sebaceous gland, which produces sebum, which gives the coat its shine. Special sebaceous glands are located in the anus and between the fingers; they produce pheromones. The sebaceous glands located on the face serve the cat to mark its territory.

Cat hair has special cells called cuticles. They reflect light, giving the coat a healthy shine. Therefore, dull fur on an animal always indicates problems in the body. The hair follicle has an erector muscle, which is capable of lifting the animal's fur, for example, in case of severe fear or hypothermia.

Cats' fur is raised by the erector muscle.

Cat hair has a tactile function. Whiskers located on the face, throat and front legs of cats are called whiskers. They are clearly visible on the animal's body. There are also small hairs - trilotiches, which are scattered on the surface of the animal's body.

Anatomical features

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The cat is the perfection of nature. She has no equal in the variety of physical capabilities. Cats masterfully jump, climb, balance, run, and react with lightning speed to danger. The most important part of a cat's body is its internal organs. The relationship between the nervous system and muscle performance makes the pet an excellent hunter.

Digestive system

The digestive system consists of organs responsible for processing food. Food enters the mouth and passes through the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines before passing through the anus as solid waste.

The digestive system is structured almost the same as in humans

The system includes:

• mouth;
• teeth;
• language;
• salivary glands;
• esophagus;
• stomach;
• mucous membranes of the stomach;
• small intestine;
• large intestine;
• pancreas;
• liver;
• gallbladder.

Digestion of food occurs in 2 stages:

• mechanical. Food is crushed by teeth;
• chemical. Food is broken down into nutrients, which are absorbed into the blood through the walls of the small intestine.

Sense organs

The animal body has five sense organs: visual, equilibrium-auditory, olfactory, gustatory and tactile. Each of these bodies has departments:

• peripheral (perceiving) - receptor;
• middle (conductive) - conductor;
• analyzing (in the cerebral cortex) - brain center.

A cat's senses are a miracle of nature.

Features of the senses:

• the shape of the ears allows the cat to direct sound into the funnel. The ear tubes are lined with fine hairs that pick up sound vibrations;
• the sharpness of taste depends on the Jacobson's tube, which is also an organ of smell, which allows the animal to avoid accidental poisoning;
• cats have a very good sense of smell as they have 70 million olfactory cells inside their nose. Every contact with another living creature involves preliminary sniffing;
• Cats have a very well developed sense of touch. Most of the skin surface does not feel contact with hot surfaces at all, but the upper lip and nose are very sensitive. They receive signals and information from even the slightest air fluctuations;
• the animal moves its whiskers due to the presence of short small muscles located at the very roots.

Pets have vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste. This allows them to recognize smells, hear noises over long distances, and see in the dark.

Circulatory system

An important organ of the circulatory system is the heart, which is a muscle weighing 0.6% of the animal’s weight. It drives blood through two circles of blood circulation. Moving through the arteries and capillaries, the blood is saturated with the products of cellular activity and carbon dioxide, enters the veins and is sent through the heart through the second (lesser) circulation.

For your information! A 4 kg cat has approximately 0.2 liters of blood. Its composition and characteristics are still poorly studied. Veterinary medicine has described cases where a cat was not affected by doses of snake venom, even many times greater than lethal doses for other living beings.

Reproductive system

The reproductive system of cats is a set of organs and processes in the body aimed at the reproduction of offspring. It develops over a long period of time and varies by gender. The internal structure of a cat differs from the structure of a cat in its reproductive system. Outwardly, this manifests itself in the fact that in cats the scrotum is located just below the anus, in cats there is a slit-like vagina (vulva) in this place. Cats reach sexual maturity at 6-8 months. This means that the animal reaches physiological maturity and can be used for reproduction.

Depending on the breed, maturity appears at the age of 10 months to 1.5 years. To get full-fledged offspring, mating can only be done from this age of the pet. X-rays are used as an additional measure to monitor late pregnancy in cats.

Nervous system

The internal organs of cats are located in the same way as those of other mammals, have almost the same structure and perform similar functions.

The nervous system is responsible for transmitting messages to and from the brain and spinal cord. The spinal column is protected by bony dorsal vertebrae.

The nervous system is structured the same as that of all other mammals

The nervous system is divided into two parts:

• central. Consists of the brain and spinal cord, which are protected by a bony membrane: the skull (brain) and the spine (spinal cord);
• peripheral. Consists of nerves that connect the central nervous system with other parts.

The nervous system of cats, both central and peripheral, is well developed and functions properly. Activity is carried out using the senses: hearing, vision, smell, taste and touch. Fully develops as the kitten matures.

Respiratory system

The anatomy of a cat is not much different from other mammals. This also applies to the respiratory system, which is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing waste in the form of carbon dioxide.

The system includes:

• nose;
• pharynx;
• larynx;
• trachea;
• bronchi (small airways);
• lungs.

The lungs have the shape of a truncated cone, the apex of which is located in the area of ​​the first ribs, and the base is concave and corresponds to the dome of the diaphragm.

Brain and endocrine system

The brain is a mass of soft, pinkish-gray nervous tissue divided into three main sections:

• brain stem;
• brain;
• cerebellum.

A cat's brain consists of a billion neuron cells, and each cell has up to 10 thousand connections with other cells. The brain occupies 0.9% of the total body weight.

The brain occupies 0.9% of the total body weight

The endocrine system is responsible for the endocrine gland to regulate the body. It includes:

• hypothalamus;
• pituitary;
• thyroid gland;
• parathyroid glands;
• adrenal glands;
• part of the gastrointestinal tract;
• pancreas;
• kidneys;
• liver;
• ovaries and testes.

The endocrine system is distributed throughout the body as follows:

• the hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain;
• The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and is attached to the hypothalamus through a stalk-shaped cartilage;
• The thyroid gland is located in the neck below the larynx (voice box);
• there are two parathyroid glands located in the neck, closely related to the thyroid gland;
• there are two adrenal glands located in the abdominal cavity just in front of the kidneys;
• the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is located in the abdominal cavity;
• pancreas in the front of the abdominal cavity, behind the liver and stomach;
• the liver is located in the front of the abdomen just behind the diaphragm;
• the ovaries are located in the middle part of the abdominal cavity next to the kidneys;
• The testicles are placed in the scrotum.

Leather and wool

Skin and hair cover the cat's entire body. The skin protects the muscles, skeleton and internal organs. Hair is located on the outer part of the skin.

Skin consists of:

• outer cellular layer;
• an avascular layer called the epidermis;
• inner fibrous corium, or dermis.

The epidermis is the body's shield. It consists of hard, keratinized cells. The dermis is made up of connective tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat and oil glands.

From each follicle in cats, two types of hairs grow: covert (awn) and secondary - downy.

A cat has four different types of hairs:

• The undercoat is the hairs closest to the skin. Their diameter does not change from root to tip. The main function is to protect the body from cold;
• guard hairs form the middle layer of the coat. They are bristly with a slight expansion in front of the tip;
• The protective coat forms the top coat and protects the undercoat and midcoat from external influences. It tapers evenly from root to tip;
• vibris - long, stiff and sensitive hairs that are used as organs of touch. These are mustaches, hair on the cheeks, chin, eyes and on the wrists of the front paws.

The camouflage function is manifested in the variety of shades of wool.

For your information! The sebaceous glands secrete fat rich in vitamin D.

Cat reproductive system

The reproductive system is an organ system designed for reproduction.

How does the genitourinary system work?

This system in a cat includes:

• the ovaries are responsible for childbirth by producing follicles;
• the tubes serve as a place for fertilization of the egg, creating a favorable environment for this;
• vulva is a general term that refers to all female genital organs located externally;
• The uterus is created for the development of the embryo and its birth.

Occurring ovulation provokes the cat to mate.

Anatomy of the cat's reproductive system

In cats, two testes (testicles) are located in the scrotum, which is located below the anus. The testes produce sperm, which pass through a system of efferent tubules into the epididymis (epididymis), where they are stored.

The cat managed to preserve the behavior pattern inherent in its wild ancestors; it hunts almost as well. The skeleton, muscles and nerves are designed for sudden sharp movements and jumps, an ideal sense of balance allows her to climb high and live in three dimensions. The digestive system is capable of digesting food, and the secretions are used to communicate with other cats. Thanks to the structure of the brain, a cat is able to learn throughout her life, and her unique senses help her in this.

Cat skin and fur

The skin protects the animal’s body from external factors: radiation, microorganisms, chemical and mechanical damage. Wool also plays a protective function, but in addition it is responsible for temperature regulation of the body. Often, it is the quality and appearance of the coat that most eloquently indicates the health of the cat.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and performs a protective function. It is what protects the body from external factors. Essentially, the epidermis is dead skin cells that act as a barrier. Beneath them there are several layers of “living” cells - the basal layer. Next is the dermis, which contains capillaries, nerves, sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

The sebaceous glands produce oil, which makes the coat shiny. Glands located on the muzzle secrete a secretion that has a special smell and is used by cats to mark their territory. Between the fingers and near the anus there are also sebaceous glands that produce sex pheromone.

Each hair consists of cuticular cells that are layered on top of each other. From one follicle up to 6 guard hairs can grow, which are surrounded by soft and thin down. These fine hairs form a warm undercoat. Each follicle can lift hairs upward with the help of special muscles. Thanks to them, in case of danger, the cat's fur stands on end. A cat has whiskers or whiskers on its head. They perform a tactile function. The same shorter hairs grow throughout the animal's body.

Digestive and excretory systems

The digestive system regulates the process of eating, absorbing nutrients and eliminating undigested residues.

The organs of the digestive system are involved in the process of digesting food

The digestion cycle is carried out per day. This process involves:

• oral cavity;
• pharynx;
• esophagus;
• stomach - the pH environment in the stomach is more acidic than in humans, which allows it to digest rough food and fight bacteria in the food;
• small intestine, in cats it is short and does not allow carbohydrates to be digested well;
• colon;
• liver;
• kidneys

The process of digestion begins in the mouth as soon as food enters it. The salivary gland softens hard food, facilitating its passage into the stomach and esophagus.

The process of digesting food begins in the mouth

Under the influence of saliva, food begins to break down in the mouth. The complete food processing process takes place in 4 stages:

1. The fundus of the stomach contracts, pushing the contents toward the pylorus.
2. The contents of the stomach enter the duodenum in the following order: liquid, carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
3. Food passes through the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed.
4. Food debris enters the large intestine, and feces are formed and excreted.

A cat's stomach is constantly active. The cat usually eats often, but little by little (10–16 times).

What shapes an animal's appearance

Strong muscles

A cat's body has 517 muscles, which is 133 less than a human's. Despite this, the muscular system is very elastic. That is why mustachioed pets easily curl up into a ball and take other bizarre poses, surprising their owners with their flexibility.

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Cat muscles are divided into 2 types:

striated

, regulating the mobility of body parts and controlled by the central part of the nervous system;

smooth

, controlling the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system and all internal organs with the help of impulses received from the peripheral nervous system.

Each muscle consists of 3 sections. The first ones are responsible for jumping over long distances, the second ones for running short distances, and the third ones for soft and quiet sneaking up during the hunt.

Beautiful skin

The skin covers the entire body of the animal, protecting it from temperature changes, germs and injuries. It consists of 2 layers:

epidermis

, formed as a result of cell death and keratinization;

dermis

containing capillaries, sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

The constant desire to rub against a person and surrounding objects is explained by the release of a specific secretion with which the cat marks its territory. It is formed from the sebaceous glands on the face, between the fingers and in the anus area.

The coat consists of undercoat and guard hairs. Each hair is capable of reflecting light, giving the coat a beautiful shine. That is why the appearance of dullness is a symptom of internal pathologies.

Thanks to the erector muscle, the hairs of a mustachioed pet can stand on end. The characteristic stripe on the back and fluffy tail can be seen in moments of fright or extreme cold.

Whiskers, paws and tail like cat documents

Differences can be seen not only in animals of different sexes, but also in animals of different breeds. The British cat's body parts are not similar to the Siamese's body parts. In the first case, the pet will be more massive and densely built, and in the second, thin and graceful.

There is even a separate classification based on body type. Thanks to such diversity, you can easily choose a pet based on your preferences and capabilities.

Upper spine

The cat skeleton, the photo of which is presented in the article, includes 7 large cervical vertebrae. They provide head support and neck mobility. For this purpose, the connection of the segments is particularly elastic. The first cervical vertebra is called the atlas, the second is called the axial vertebra. These segments are connected to each other through a fairly thin finger-like process. If you land incorrectly, it may break, which will consequently lead to a broken neck. In this regard, it is highly recommended not to use a belt in this part of the body. The skeleton (a cat, although a flexible animal, is still small), despite its plasticity, consists of small and in some places fragile segments. Under normal conditions, the neck is not at any particular risk. A flea collar is also not dangerous.

X-ray of a cat

X-rays are prescribed for cats in different cases; it can be either emergency or planned. The study helps diagnose:

• Injuries to the limbs and skull.
• The presence of foreign objects in the body.
• Damage to the chest.
• Pneumonia.
• Pregnancy and the location of kittens in the uterus.
• Jaw pathologies.
• Anomalies of the heart and lungs.
• Formed metastases and other neoplasms.

X-ray of a cat

How to prepare your pet for x-rays?

Cats are always stressed during transportation, so they may arrive for x-rays very anxious. In this case, you can use the drug Kot Bayun, it has an excellent mild calming and sedative effect.

If you live in a large city, you can call a doctor with a mobile x-ray machine.

How is the procedure done?

Cats are not able to sit quietly in a certain position, much less in an unfamiliar room. Therefore, several specialists help take an x-ray. They fix the cat in the desired position, in this case the photo is of high quality. And then you can find pathologies on it or make sure that your cat is completely healthy.

Many cat owners are interested in this question: is x-ray dangerous for cats? Currently, only high-quality devices are used that comply with global health regulations. Therefore, the X-ray procedure will not harm your pet. The only thing I would like to note is that you must understand that radiation is not useful in any case, and there is no need to take pictures several times a month.

If you carefully read the article, then now you know how your pet’s body works. And now you understand that fluffy and cute creatures are actually agile and fast predators. And you shouldn’t be surprised that your pet asks for meat and also looks with surprise at the vegetables offered to him. Read also about anatomy.

Hind limbs of the skeleton

When it comes to the structure of a cat's skeleton, it is important to pay special attention to the hind limbs, which consist of the pelvis

(right and left innominate bones), thighs

(consists of the femur and patella),
lower leg
(includes the fibula and tibia) and
foot
(it includes the tarsus, metatarsus and 4 phalanges of the fingers). By the way, some cats may have 5 toe phalanges on their hind legs.

The hind limbs of the cat are powerful, moderately long and excellently developed. They allow the cat to climb trees and jump high without any problems. It is believed that on average a cat can jump to a height that is 5 times its height.

. Also, the massive hind limbs allow the mustachioed pets to run quickly. In case of danger, cats can reach speeds of about 45 kilometers per hour.

. For comparison: only some sprinters can reach this speed, but the average person can run at a speed of only 15 (maximum 20) kilometers per hour. But a cat can outperform even any fast runner, because a person can only walk or run on a horizontal surface, while a cat can overcome vertical obstacles.

Brain and endocrine system

Anatomically, a cat's brain is similar to the brain of any mammal.

The structure of a cat's brain is similar to that of any mammal.

Different parts of the brain are responsible for one or another function in the body:

• the parietal lobe processes information received through the senses;
• the large brain is responsible for consciousness;
• the corpus callosum connects the right and left hemispheres;
• the frontal lobe is responsible for voluntary movements;
• the olfactory bulb is responsible for the perception of smells;
• the hypothalamus secretes hormones and controls the autonomic nervous system;
• the pituitary gland coordinates and controls the work of other glands;
• the spinal cord transmits information from the brain to the body;
• the pineal gland is responsible for sleep and wakefulness;
• the cerebellum controls movements and muscle function;
• the temporal lobe is responsible for behavior and memory;
• The occipital lobe receives visual and tactile signals.

The endocrine system influences the basic functions that occur in the body with the help of hormones. Most hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Also some of them are produced by the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries in cats and testicles in cats.

The endocrine system influences the body's basic functions

Table: hormonal regulation of cat body functions