Labeled cross-sectional anatomy of the dog’s neck on CT

Labeled cross-sectional anatomy of the dog’s neck on CT

Labeled cross-sectional anatomy of the dog’s neck on CT


Introduction

A computed tomography of the dog's neck is indicated in a wide range of clinical presentations: neck pain, neurological disorders, trauma, masses or tumor staging involving the head and/or the neck.

The anatomy of the neck is complex, as this region concentrates a large number of bony, muscular, articular, splanchnic, vascular and nervous structures.

The aim of this module is to detail the cross-sectional anatomy of the dog's neck, based on a CT. 

Anatomy atlas of the dog's neck on CT
Transverse cross section of the neck of a dog on CT, at the level of the C2, showing the thyroid glands, internal and external jugular veins, common carotid arteries

Material and methods

This CT was performed on a dog before and after injection of contrast medium. 

The examination extends from the parietal to the scapular regions. The anatomical structures, available in the three main axes (transverse, sagittal and dorsal), were labeled. In addition, 3D renderings of the axial skeleton, vessels, thyroid and lymph nodes were also used.

The anatomical structures have been labeled by Stephan Mahler, DVM, MA, MSc, PhD (Veterinary Anatomist - Montpellier, France), according to the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV). 

They have been grouped into different themes:

  • Body parts
  • Regions
  • Bones
    • Cranial bones
    • Hyoid apparatus
    • Spinal column
    • Scapula
    • Ribs
    • Numbering - vertebrae
    • Numbering - ribs 
  • Joints
  • Ligaments
  • Muscles
    • Muscles of skin
    • Muscles of head
    • Muscles of neck
    • Muscles of back
    • Muscles of thorax
    • Muscles of thoracic limb
    • Fascias
  • Larynx
  • Trachea
  • Thyroid gland
  • Pharynx
  • Major salivary glands
  • Esophagus
  • Arteries
  • Veins - Dural venous sinuses 
  • Lymphatic nodes
  • Central nervous system
  • Nerves

Key images

Labelled CT of a dog's neck
Midsagittal view of a dog's neck on CT showing cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal cord
Cervical vertebrae in a dog
3D-Reconstruction of the cervical vertebrae obtained from the CT of a dog's neck
Anatomy atlas of the dog's neck on CT
Transverse cross section of the neck of a dog on CT, at the level of the C2, showing the thyroid glands, internal and external jugular veins, common carotid arteries
Labelled CT of a dog's neck
Midsagittal view of a dog's neck on CT showing cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal cord
Cervical vertebrae in a dog
3D
  • International Committee on Veterinary Gross Anatomical Nomenclature. 2017. Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. Sixth Edition. Ghent (Belgium).
  • Evans HE, de Lahunta A 2013. Evans Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. Fourth Edition. St Louis (MI). Elsevier Saunders.
  • Ruberte J, Sautet J 1998. Atlas d’Anatomie du Chien et du Chat. Barcelone. Multimédica.
  • Done SH, Goody PC, Evans SA, Stickland NC 2009. Color Atlas of Veterinary Anatomy Volume 3: The Dog and Cat. Second Edition. Toronto. Mosby Elsevier.