Mammals
Shared skeletal patterns adapted for running, climbing, swimming, and flight.
Atlas collection
Animal anatomy
Explore the structures animals share — and the remarkable adaptations that make every body plan distinct.
Atlas noteThe collection begins with domestic dog anatomy, creating a foundation for broader mammalian and comparative study.
Select a muscle group
Browse by group
Different forms, common plans
Animal anatomy becomes clearer when the same structural pattern is followed across species.
Birds
Lightweight skeletons, powerful flight muscles, and specialized respiratory anatomy.
Fish
Gills, fins, and streamlined body plans shaped by life in water.
Comparative osteology
Compare bones and joint arrangements across major vertebrate groups.
Featured organism
Domestic dog anatomy
The domestic dog provides an accessible introduction to quadrupedal mammalian anatomy. Its body uses the same broad tissue types and organ systems seen in humans, reorganized around four-limbed locomotion, a horizontal spine, and specialized sensory structures.
Begin with regional anatomy, then isolate the musculoskeletal structures responsible for stance and movement.
Open dog anatomy