AGRICULTURE EDUCATION
Introduction to Veterinary Medical Science
Unit I: Anatomy and Physiology
Terminal Objective: The student shall know the anatomy and physiology of certain body systems.
Lesson: Topic I -1 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson objective(s):

Students will investigate the body systems and gain a working knowledge of how each system functions, its purpose, and how
it is affected by disease.

Students will develop a vocabulary of directional anatomical terms and will be able to identify anatomical structures of animals.

Students will apply their knowledge by dissection and assembling anatomical models.
Essential Question(s): What is considered to be a normal body system?
Estimated Time: 1 period
Course TEKS: The student will investigate the body systems
and gain a working knowledge of how each system functions,
its purpose, and how it is affected by disease. The student is
expected to:

(c)(6)(A) identify the parts of the skeletal, muscular,
respiratory, circulatory, nervous, urinary, reproductive,
endocrine, and Integumentary systems.

(c)(6)(B) describe the functions of skeletal, muscular,
respiratory, circulatory, nervous, urinary, reproductive,
endocrine, and Integumentary system.

(c)(6)(C) apply knowledge of veterinary anatomy by
identifying areas for injections, measuring vital signs and
collecting blood samples for various animal species.
TAKS Objectives
English LA:
Math:
Science:
Social Studies:
Instructional Mode: Lecture, whole group, partners, and
individual
Enabling Objectives:
1.
Discuss the importance of knowing the parts that make
up various body systems of animals.
Concepts Important to Know and Understand:
1.
2.
Anatomy and physiology are the foundations on which
veterinary medicine is built.
A basic understanding of veterinary anatomy and
physiology is essential for the veterinary assistant.
Terms to Know: See individual lesson plans
Evaluations:
Informal

Teacher observation of the students as they engage in discussions and activities related to this unit and the willingness to take
the initiative to follow up on non-graded assignments.
Formal

Evaluation of a cognitive test centered on the technical or subject matter information covered for each of the enabling
objectives.
NOTES:

This unit limits itself to only brief descriptions of the body systems of animals. For additional materials refer to the
suggested resources.
DAY 1
Introduction
What is anatomy and physiology?
Focus Questions
Engaging Activities
1.
What is the difference 1a.
Before beginning the
between the hyoid apparatus lesson
review
anatomical
and the pituitary gland?
terminology by visiting the web
Possible replies:
site Virtual Pig Dissection and

The pituitary is a gland completing the activities.
and the Hyoid is an
1b. To introduce the lesson
apparatus
read Chapter IV Section 1 from
the “Veterinary Assistant
Handbook”. Be prepared to
discuss the review questions
on page IV-1-9 and IV-1-10.
Additional Information
It is very important that the
veterinary
assistant
have
knowledge of animal anatomy
and physiology. Having this
assists
in
understanding
medical terminology used in
everyday clinical cases. It is
also important because the
veterinary assistant is able to

understand
medical
conditions
and
treatments

follow
instructions
from the veterinarian

properly position an
animal
for
a
radiograph

administer
an
intramuscular injection

take a blood sample
2.
Why is it important to
understand the basic structure
and functions of various body
systems?
Possible replies:

Helps to understand
how to treat a sick
animal
2.
Using slides 2-3-4-5
discuss the importance of
knowing and understanding the
body systems.
3. What are the functions of
the systems and how are these
systems formed?
Possible replies:

Tissue forms organs
and organs group to
form systems.
3. Using slides 6-7-8 discuss
the purpose of body systems,
how they form, and how they
interact with each other.
Becoming familiar with basic
anatomical terminology, as well
as the basic structure and
functions of the various body
systems is helpful if one is to
be successful in the care of
animals.
4.
Name five of the body
systems.

Skeletal

Muscle

Respiratory

Circulatory

Nervous
4. Using slide 9 present a list
of the systems that will be
covered in this Unit.
The animal body consists of
several distinct systems.
Skeletal
Integumentary
Muscle
Reproductive
Circulatory Endocrine
Nervous
Digestion
Urinary
Respiratory
Typically, each system has
several organs designed to
perform a specific set of
functions. Organs are formed
when different kinds of tissues
group together. These organs
are
then
organized
into
systems that carry out major
functions in the body.
Reference Materials
Virtual Pig Dissection
http://www.whitman.edu/biology
/vpd/main.html
Animal Care Training – ppt
TOPIC I-1 - Introduction to
Anatomy and Physiology Slide 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Veterinary Science Curriculum
Package – “Anatomy and
Physiology”; CMS – Ohio State
- order number PID146
Laboratory
Manual
for
Comparative
Veterinary
Anatomy and Physiology;
Phillip E. Cochran, MS, DVM;
Thomson Learning
Veterinary Assistant Handbook,
IV-1-1 by Dr. Floron C. Faries
available from Instructional
Materials Services; TAMU
Instructional
Materials
Service,
Texas
A&M
University, “Animal Science”
(Agriscience 332) catalog No.
8831B
Virtual Cat Dissection: The
'Virtual Cat Dissection' is a
teaching resource created by
Pennsylvania
State
University.
http://bio.bd.psu.edu/cat/
Comparative Anatomy of the
Cat: Ohio State University,
http://www.biosci.ohiostate.edu/~eeob/anatomy/eeob
235/
Each system is then designed
to work in unison with all other
body systems.
When one
system malfunctions, the other
systems are also affected.
ACTIVITIES:

Visit the “Virtual Cat Dissection” web page consisting of an extensive collection of labeled images covering external
anatomy, the skeletal system, muscular system, respiratory system, digestive system, urogenital system, circulatory system,
and the nervous system.

Visit the “Comparative Anatomy of the Cat” to view a collection of cat anatomy pictures. Scroll over the image with a mouse
and click on the various parts to identify what they are and to get a close-up view.
NOTES: