The below content replicates the content of the physical exhibit at CSU Spur. It can be used for reference, language translation, and additional accessibility.
Anatomy of a Cat
Sternum
Also called the breastbone, the sternum protects the chest and helps hold the ribs in place with cartilage.
Vena Cava
The largest vein in the body, the vena cava carries blood back to the heart from the back legs and abdomen.
Kidney
The kidneys filter and clean blood; they are normally buried in protective fat between the spine and abdominal cavity.
Large Intestine
The large intestine, or colon, removes water from food the body doesn’t use and creates solid feces (or poop).
Reading Radiographs (X-Rays)
Put the X-ray on the lightbox to see areas inside this cat’s body. Veterinarians usually take separate radiographs (or X-rays) of a cat’s body to get a closer look inside. Darker colors mean an area has non-solid substance, like air in a lung. Lighter colors mean an area is filled with dense substances, like bone or blood in arteries and veins. How many ribs can you count?
Anatomy of a Horse
Nasal Cavity and Nasal Sinus
Horses breathe through large nasal cavities in their nose, not through their mouths. Nasal X-rays can help diagnose breathing issues.
Molar Teeth
Horse teeth never stop growing! When they eat grass, the molars rub against each other and wear down naturally.
Third Phalanx
The third phalanx (P3) in the horse is just like the bone at the tip of a person’s middle finger.
Reference marker
Small metallic markers are often taped over areas of interest so they show up in an X-ray.
Hoof Wall
A hoof provides protection for the horse’s foot. Foot X-rays allow veterinarians to look for fractures or swelling caused by inflammation.
Reading Radiographs (X-Rays)
Put the X-ray on the lightbox to see inside this horse’s body. Lighter colors mean the area is dense, like bone and teeth. Darker colors mean the area has non-solid substance, like air. Because horses are so large, veterinarians need to radiograph (or X-ray) smaller portions at a time. Dental care is extremely important for horses. Veterinarians use X-rays of a horse’s teeth to look for signs of infection or injury.
Anatomy of a Dog
Heart
The heart muscle sends oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and circulates blood with waste gas, like carbon dioxide, back to the lungs.
Spine
The spine (made up of vertebrae) provides support to the body, protects the spinal cord, and connects different parts of the skeleton.
Lungs
Like humans, dogs breathe through both their nose and mouth. The lungs bring in fresh air and remove waste gases.
Small Intestine
The small intestine looks like a rope. Obstructions, or foreign objects, can make the intestine larger and change its shape.
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, the aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the abdomen and back legs.
Reading Radiographs (X-rays)
Put the X-ray on the lightbox to see areas inside this dog’s body. Veterinarians take radiographs (or X-rays) of different parts of a dog’s body to help diagnose problems, like a twisted stomach or intestinal obstruction. Darker colors mean an area has non-solid substance, like air in the stomach. Lighter colors mean an area is filled with dense substances, like rib bones.
