Clinical Gross Anatomy of the Skin

It is important to standardize the description and position of anatomical features. The following pictures provide illustrations of terms used to describe directions around the pig and major surface landmarks.
Describing the general directions around the pig
View of the pig neck	The head view of the pig

Surface landmarks relating to the sex of the pig
The major surface landmarks of the rear of the female pig:
The hind view of a female gilt	Detail of the vulva opened
The major surface hind quarter landmarks of the rear of the male:
The entire male:	The castrated male:
Remember that the male also has the prepuce on the ventral surface.
Lateral view of the mammary glands	Detail of the teat with milk from the supplying mammae being expressed

Specific detail of the surface anatomy of the lower limb
Detail of the dorsal surface of the front foot
Plantar view of the foot
Lateral view of the front foot	Carpal glands – function unknown

Visualising the position of the major organs

When clinically examining the pig, it is essential to be able to visualize the position of the major organs.

The following illustrations reflect the major organs onto the surface of the pig.

The white line represents the position of the last rib. The organs are similarly colored in each drawing. The organs are labeled in the right side illustration. Note the large size of the pig’s head to the rest of its body.

Left side Rectum Kidney Uterus Small intestine Stomach Liver Lung Heart
		Right side Kidney Rectum Uterus Large intestine Stomach Liver Lung Heart
		From the Dorsum

Skeleton and organ layout superimposed on the image of the pig
The commercial Large White/Yorkshire
The Vietnamese Pot Belly
Detail of the major meat joints of the pig drawn on the skin of the pig
The pig is the most important meat source in most countries. It is important to understand the various joints and their relative importance to the meat industry.