Comparative Anatomy
of the Domestic Cat and Selected
Organs of the Sheep, Cow, & Pig
With Reference to the Human
Karen McMahon
Biological Science
The University of Tulsa
HAPS Institute - Using Cadavers to
Teach A&P November 30, 2008
Integumentary
System
Cat Skin
Stratum Corneum
Epidermis
Dermis
Hair
Root
Human Skin, Heavily
Pigmented
Stratum
Corneum
Epidermis
Dermis
Stratum
Basale
Skeletal System
The premaxilla is a separate
bone in the cat skull.
Nasal
Premaxilla
Maxilla
The premaxilla is not present in
the human skull.
Nasal
Maxilla
Cats have a carnivorous
dentition pattern.
Teeth in each
half of the
u. jaw/l. jaw:
Incisors 3/3
Canines 1/1
Premolars 3/2
Molars 1/1.
The total # of
teeth is 30.
Incisors
Canine
Premolar
Molar
Humans have an omnivorous
dentition pattern.
Teeth in
each half of the
upper jaw/lower jaw:
Incisors 2/2
Premolar
Canines 1/1
Premolars 2/2
Molars 3/3.
The total # of teeth is 32.
Canine
Incisors
Molar
There are 7 lumbar vertebrae in
the cat; 5 in the human.
The sacrum is composed of 3 fused
bones in the cat; 5 in the human.
The cat has 21-25 separate caudal vertebrae.
The coccyx in the human consists of 3 -5
fused caudal vertebrae.
Caudal
Vertebrae
Human Coccyx
There are 13 pairs of ribs in the cat pairs 1-9 true, 10-13 false, & pair 13 is
also floating.
The human has 12 pairs of ribs - pairs 1-7
true, 8-12 false, & pairs 11-12 are also
floating.
True (1-7)
False (8-12)
Floating
The cat’s sternum consists of a
manubrium, a body of 6 sternebrae, &
a xiphisternum with a xiphoid process.
The human sternum consists of a
manubrium, body, & xiphoid process.
Manubrium
Body
Xiphoid Process
There are 7 carpals in the cat; 8 in the
human. The scaphoid and lunate are fused
as the scapholunate in the cat.
Lunate
Scaphoid
The human clavicle articulates with the sternum &
scapula; the cat’s clavicle is reduced and does not
articulate with other bones.
Clavicle
Fetal Skeleton
Pig
Human
Nervous System
Human Dura Mater of the Meninges
*Photographs courtesy of Kevin Patton, Ph.D.
Feline Dura Mater of the Meninges
Human Brain
Mid-sagittal View
*Photograph courtesy of Kevin Patton, Ph.D.
Human
Sheep
The human brain has two mammillary
bodies; the sheep brain has one.
Mammillary
Body
*Photograph courtesy of Kevin Patton, Ph.D.
Human
Sheep
Human Brain
Tumor
*Photographs courtesy of Kevin Patton, Ph.D.
Arbor vita in the cerebellum.
Human
Sheep
The cat has 38 – 39 pairs of spinal nerves: 8 cervical,
13, thoracic, 7 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 7/8 caudal.
Cauda Equina
The human has 31 pairs of spinal nerves - 8
cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and
1 caudal.
Cauda Equina
Model of the human eye with
the dark choroid layer.
Sclera
Optic Disc
Choroid Layer
Vitreous Body
Iris & Pupil
Lens
The cow eye has an iridescent
tapetum lucidum in the choroid.
Choroid Layer
Eyeshine
Tapetum
Lucidum
Sclera
Muscular
System
Pectoantebrachialis & xiphihumeralis
are chest muscles in the cat.
Pectoralis Minor
Pectoralis Major
Pectoantebrachialis
Clavodeltoid
Xiphumeralis
Posterior
Anterior
These muscles are missing in
the human.
Pectoralis Major
Clavodeltoid, acromiodeltoid, &
spinodeltoid in the cat.
Clavodeltoid
Acromiodeltoid
Spinodeltoid
There is one deltoid in the
human.
Deltoid
Clavotrapezius, acromiotrapezius, &
spinotrapezius are back muscles in the
cat.
Clavotrapezius
Spinotrapezius
Acromiotrapezius
There is one trapezius muscle
in the human.
R & L Trapezius
The levator scapulae ventralis is found
in the cat but is missing in the human.
Acromiotrapezius
Levator
Scapulae
Ventralis
Lateral View
Caudofemoralis is found in the
cat but not in the human.
Gluteus Medius
Caudofemoralis
Gluteus Maximus
Biceps Femoris
Vastus Lateralis
There is no caudofemoralis
muscle in the human.
Vastus Lateralis
Tensor Fascia Latae
Long
Head
Short Head
Biceps Femoris
Lateral View
Gluteus Maximus
Thigh muscles in the human.
Sartorius
Rectus Femoris
Vastus
Medialis
Vastus
Lateralis
The epitrochlearis muscle is found in
the medial arm of the cat.
Epitrochlearis
There is no epitrochlearis in the
human arm.
Biceps
Brachii
Deltoid
Coracobrachialis
Long
Head
Triceps
Brachii
Brachialis
Medial
Head
Abdominal muscles in the cat.
Transversus Abdominus
Internal Oblique
External Oblique
Abdominal muscles in the
human.
Transversus
Abdominus
Internal
Oblique
External
Oblique
Ventral Body
Cavity
The ventral body cavity in the
cat.
Thorax
Diaphragm
Abdominopelvic
The ventral body cavity in the
human.
Thorax
Diaphragm
Abdominopelvic
Digestive System
The greater omentum in the
human and cat.
Human
Cat
The stomach in the human and
cat.
Stomach
Stomach
Human
Pylorus
Cat
Stomach Feeding Tube
The stomach interior in the
human and cat.
Human
Cat
Rugae
Roundworms found in
the cat stomach
The human liver has 4 lobes.
R. & L. Lobes
R. Lobe
Gallbladder
Quadrate &
Caudate lobes
are not pictured.
L. Lobe
The feline liver has 6 lobes.
Gallbladder
L. Medial Lobe
L. Lateral Lobe
Quadrate Lobe
R. Medial Lobe
Gallbladder
L. Lateral Lobe
Caudate Lobe
R.
Lateral
Lobe
The small intestine in the cat is
approximately 120 cm long.
Mesentery of the small intestine
in the human and cat.
Small Intestine
Mesentery
The cat cecum has no
appendix.
Large Intestine
Cecum
Small Intestine
An appendix is found at the
human cecum.
Large Intestine
Small Intestine
Cecum
Appendix
Photograph courtesy of Mary Weis, D.V.M.
The large intestine of the cat consists of the cecum,
ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon,
and rectum. There is no sigmoid colon.
Cecum
Ascending Colon
Transverse Colon
Descending Colon
Rectum
The large intestine of the human consists of the cecum,
ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon,
sigmoid colon, and rectum.
Transverse Colon
Descending Colon
Ascending Colon
Sigmoid Colon
Cecum
Small Intestine
Appendix
Photograph courtesy of Becky Brown.
Rectum
Circulatory
System
The pig heart has 2 branches
off the aortic arch.
Left Subclavian
Artery
Brachiocephalic
Artery
Aortic Arch
Pulmonary Trunk
There are 3 branches from the
aortic arch in the human heart.
L. Common Carotid
Brachiocephalic
Artery
L. Subclavian Artery
Aortic Arch
Pulmonary Trunk
Pacemaker Wires
There is no common iliac artery in the
cat.
Posterior Vena Cava
Abdominal Aorta
External Iliac Vein
External Iliac Artery
Internal Iliac Artery
There is a common iliac artery in the
human.
Common Iliac Artery
External Iliac Vein
Internal Iliac Artery
External Iliac Artery
Respiratory System
Human epiglottis, larynx,
thyroid gland, and trachea.
Epiglottis
Trachea
Larynx
Primary
Bronchus
Thyroid
Gland
*
*Photograph courtesy of Kevin Patton, Ph.D.
Cat epiglottis, larynx, thyroid gland,
and trachea.
Epiglottis
Larynx
Thyroid
Gland
Trachea
False Vocal Cords
Human lungs have 5 lobes.
Right
Lung –
3 Lobes
Superior,
Middle,
& Inferior
Left
Lung 2 Lobes,
Superior
& Inferior
Cats lungs have 7 lobes.
Right Lobes –
Anterior, Medial,
Posterior, &
Accessory
Left Lobes –
Anterior, Medial,
Posterior
Male
Reproductive
System
The male reproductive system of the cat
lacks paired seminal vesicles & the
penis is ensheathed.
Spermatic Cord
Testis in Tunica Albuginea
Penis
The male reproductive system in the human
has a pair of seminal vesicles.
Testis
Seminal
Vesicle
Female
Reproductive
System
The female cat has a urogenital sinus. Young
are borne in the uterine horns.
Body of
the
Uterus
Ovary
Vagina
Urogenital
Sinus
Uterine
Horn
Feline Embryos
There are separate vaginal and urethral
openings in the human female. Young
develop in the body of the uterus.
Ovary
Fallopian Tube
Body of Uterus
Cervix
Human Embryo
12 Weeks Old
Human Fetus
Human Fetus
Urinary System
The adrenal gland in the cat is
medial to the kidney.
Adrenal Gland
Kidney
Renal Vein
The adrenal gland is anterior to
the kidney in the human.
Adrenal
Gland
Kidney
Kidney disease
Photograph courtesy of Anna E. Ross, Ph.D.
Polycystic kidney
Kidney Adenocarcinoma
References
„
Augur, Anne M. and Arthur F. Dalley. 2009. Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy,
12th Edition. Wolter Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,
Philadelphia.
„
Bohensky, Fred. 2002. PhotoManual & Dissection Guide. Cat with Sheep
Heart Brain Eye. Square One Education Guides.
„
Sebastiani, Aurora M. and Dale W. Fishbeck. 2005. Mammalian
Anatomy – The Cat. Morton Publishing Company. Englewood, Colorado.
„
Walker, Warren F. and Dominique G. Homberger. 1993. A Study of the
Cat with Reference to Human Beings. Saunders College Publishing. Fort
Worth, Texas.
„
Wingerd, Bruce D. 2006. Cat Anatomy and Dissection Guide. Bluedoor.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
The Cat People from Dr. Who