Dog External Anatomy

The major external body parts and anatomical points of a dog in lateral view.

• Muzzle: The projecting part of the head including the jaws and nose.
• Nose: The moist, pigmented olfactory organ at the tip of the muzzle.
• Stop: The step-down or indentation between the forehead and the muzzle.
• Skull: The upper part of the head between the ears and forehead.
• Ear: The external auditory flap or pinna.
• Neck: The segment connecting the head to the torso.
• Withers: The highest point of the shoulder blades, used to measure a dog's height.
• Back: The dorsal region extending from behind the withers to the loin.
• Loin: The region of the back between the ribcage and the pelvis.
• Croup: The dorsal surface of the pelvis sloping down toward the base of the tail.
• Tail: The flexible caudal appendage extending from the rear of the spine.
• Chest: The deep ventral part of the torso enclosing the heart and lungs.
• Shoulder: The upper forequarter area overlying the scapula.
• Elbow: The joint connecting the upper arm and forearm on the forelimb.
• Pastern: The lower part of the leg between the wrist/carpus and the paw.
• Forepaw: The front foot including digits and pads.
• Abdomen: The ventral underside of the dog between the chest and the pelvis (tuck-up).
• Flank: The fleshy side of the body between the ribs and the hip.
• Stifle: The true knee joint of the hind leg, located between the thigh and shin.
• Hock: The tarsal joint of the hind leg, analogous to the human ankle.
• Hindpaw: The rear foot including digits and pads.