A good understanding of this subject provides the background for many of your second year subjects. In radiography, for example, anatomical directions and the names of the bones which comprise the joints should be second nature. In addition, in order to be able to perform a health check, you must be familiar with the terms and definitions used to describe the anatomy and physiology of your patient.

You will find many other topics related to this chapter throughout the Revision Guide. The muscular system in Module 7 only touches on cardiac muscle and you can find out more in Chapter 7 - Anatomy & Physiology - The Systems of the Body.

The best way to familiarise yourself with the skeletal system is to study an actual skeleton. If your practice or college do not have one available, the Hill's Atlas of Veterinary Clinical Anatomy is a valuable source of information with excellent diagrams.

Suggested reading:

Veterinary Nursing (Butterworth Heinemann) - Edited by D R Lane & B Cooper - Chapter 11: Anatomy & Physiology by A J Pearson.

Multiple Choice Questions in Veterinary Nursing Volume 1 (Butterworth Heinemann) - The College of Animal Welfare.