Anatomy of Fattening Unit Animals

The anatomy of an animal describes basically the whole body. In this section, we will first look at the external body sections of an animal that is visible to us. Secondly, a description will be given of the most important anatomical systems in the body together with an explanation of their functions.

The anatomical description will specifically focus on sheep and cattle since they are the most common feedlot animals. Due to the fact that there is almost no difference between the anatomical sections and processes of these two species, the description will be for both and no specific reference to a certain specie will be made unless it describes and unique attribute of the specific specie.

Anatomical Sections of Fattening Unit Animals

Cattle and sheep can be divided into 8 big important sections that are visible on the animal, namely:

Head -The head of the animal host the eyes, ears, nose and mouth of the animal. The head also houses and protects the brain.

Neck - The neck is a small piece of the body that connects the head to the back and thus the rest of the body.

Back - The back is an extension of the neck and runs the whole length of the animal up to where the tail begins. The back and neck play an important role in the protection of the nervous canal that extends the brain to the rest of the body.

Thorax  - The back is an extension of the neck and runs the whole length of the animal up to where the tail begins. The back and neck play an important role in the protection of the nervous canal that extends the brain to the rest of the body.

Front Legs - The front legs are attached to the thorax. It basically starts at the back on top of the animal and ends in the hooves at the bottom.

Abdomen  - This is the area behind the thorax and below the back of the animal. It is the place where the biggest part of the digestive system is situated, along with organs such as the liver, pancreas and kidneys.

Hind Legs  - The hind legs are situated the furthest from the head, just before the tail. It starts at the rump on top and ends in the hooves at the bottom.

Tail  - The tail is the last section of the body and is an extension of the back. Its only function is to get rid of parasites.

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Internal Anatomical Systems of Fattening Unit Animals

The internal anatomical systems are those that cannot be seen with the eye, but which play a vital role in the animal. It is impossible for the animal to live or function normally if any of these systems is absent. In feedlot animals, the following 6 internal anatomical systems are the most important:

The nervous System - This is the most important anatomical system in the body and controls all the other anatomical systems. The brain plays the most important role here and together with the neurons and hormones it fulfils its role.

Respiration System - The respiration system is responsible for the inhaling of oxygen and the exhaling of carbon dioxide. The lungs are responsible for this function together with the nose, mouth and respiratory tracks.

Cardiovascular System - This system consists of the heart, arteries, veins and the blood that flows inside. It is responsible for the transport of all the soluble supplements, fats, hormones and gasses (O2 and CO2)

Digestive System - The digestive system starts at the mouth of the animal and ends at the anus. There are two types of digestive systems namely the ruminants and the single stomach animals. Ruminants, of which cattle and sheep form part, are animals with a series of four different stomachs in their digestive system. The rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum form an impressive digestive system that allows the animal to ruminate and thus chew and digest the food more than once. Rumination allows the animal to receive the uttermost amounts of supplements from the food ingested.

Urinal System - The blood of the animal runs through the kidneys which extract all the waste and poisonous substances from the blood and excrete it with the urine.

Reproduction System  - In feedlot animals this is the most unimportant system because no breeding took place in the feedlot. The reproduction system is responsible for all the reproductive functions of the animal. In the female animal it basically consists of the Ovaries, Uterus and Vagina while in the male animal the Testis, Sexual glands and Penis are the most important parts.

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