Dog Anatomy & Joint Motion

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Canine: Anatomy & Joint Motion

Starting a fitness routine is a great way to enhance your overall health and wellbeing. If you are a dog owner, it can be helpful to understand the specific muscles your pup is working out during exercise. This is especially important if your dog suffers from arthritis or has a history of injury, as it may affect the types of exercises they are able to do safely. With this information, you can tailor your dog’s workout routine to ensure that they engage in the exercises that will be most beneficial for them.

This includes muscle and skeletal anatomy, anatomical directions, planes and joint actions. There is also a chart with human vs. canine information.

This comprehensive section provides a wealth of knowledge for those who are just starting out on their fitness journey or looking to expand their existing knowledge. So, whether you’re looking to learn more about your furry friend’s workout or your own, this page along with Lost Temple Fitness has got you covered.

If you are looking for more information on human fitness, please find detailed information and helpful charts on my Lost Temple Fitness site.

Positions, Planes & Directions

Planes

Transverse /Axial / Horizontal plane is a X-Z plane, parallel to the ground, which (in humans) separates the superior from the inferior, or put another way, the head from the feet.

In dogs, cuts in half – front to back.

Coronal / Frontal/ Dorsal plane is a Y-X plane, perpendicular to the ground, which (in humans) separates the anterior from the posterior, the front from the back, the ventral from the dorsal.

In dogs, separates the top and bottom.

Sagittal / Lateral / Median plane is a Y-Z plane, perpendicular to the ground, which separates left from right. The midsagittal plane is the specific sagittal plane that is exactly in the middle of the body.

Canine Picture: Median or sagittal plane through the midline (from head to tail following spine splitting left and right sides)

Positions

Anterior – Towards the front of the body.

Posterior – Towards the back of the body.

Distal – Away from the body or any point of reference, or from the point of attachment or origin.

Proximal – Closer to the body or any point of reference, or to the point of attachment or origin.

Medial – Situated towards the midline of the body.

Lateral – Position farther from the midline of the body.

Ventral – Directed towards or situated on the abdomen.

Dorsal – Directed towards the back

Inferior (caudal) – Away from the head or lower surface of a structure.

Superior – Towards the head or situated above.

Caudal – Towards the tail. Inferior in humans.

Cranial – Towards the head. Superior in humans.

Rostral – Towards the nose.

Directions

Flexion – Bending movement that decreases the angle between two parts. Bending the knee or elbow are examples of flexion. Flexion of the hip or shoulder moves the limb forward (towards the anterior side of the body).
Extension – The opposite of flexion; a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts. The knees are extended when standing up. When straightening the arm, the elbow is extended. Extension of the hip or shoulder moves the limb backward (towards the posterior side of the body).
Hyperextension – Extending the joint beyond extension.
Abduction – A lateral movement that pulls a structure or part away from the midline of the body. Raising the arms to the sides, is an example of abduction.
Adduction – A medial movement that pulls a structure or part towards the midline of the body, or towards the midline of a limb. Dropping the arms to the sides, or bringing the knees together, are examples of adduction.
Internal rotation (or medial rotation). Inward rotary movement around the axis of the bone. Internal rotation of the shoulder or hip would point the toes or the flexed forearm inwards (towards the midline).
External rotation (or lateral rotation). External rotary movement around the axis of the bone. It would turn the toes or the flexed forearm outwards (away from the midline).
Elevation – Movement in a superior direction.
Depression – Movement in an inferior direction, the opposite of elevation.
Pronation – Internal rotation the hand or foot to face downward or posterior. The foot is a combination of eversion and abduction.
Supination – External rotation of the hand or foot to face upward or anterior. Raising the medial margin of the foot.
Dorsiflexion – Movement at the ankle of the foot superiorly towards the shin. The up position of tapping the foot.
Plantarflexion – Movement at the ankle of the foot inferiorly away from the shin. Pointing the foot downward.
Eversion – Moving the sole of the foot away from the median plane.
Inversion – Moving the sole of the foot towards the median plane.
Ipsilateral – Same side of the body
Contralateral – Opposite side of the body