Content

ANATOMY OF A CAT.............................................................................................................3

1.1. THE SKELETON......................................................................................................5

1.2. THE SKIN.................................................................................................................6

1.3. THE EAR...................................................................................................................6

1.4. VISION......................................................................................................................7

1.5. SMELL......................................................................................................................7

1.6. TASTE.......................................................................................................................7

1.7. THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM..............................................................................8

1.8. THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.....................................................................9

1.9. THE URINARY SYSTEM......................................................................................10

1.10. THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM...................................................................................11

1.11. THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.........................................................................12

1.12. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.....................................................................................13

1.13. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.................................................................................14

ANATOMY OF A CAT

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

Cats are mammals.

They are carnivores (they eat meat) and easily become well-adapted predators, especially
of other animals. Domestic cats are designed to hunt small prey such as birds and small
mammals like mice, although a bold cat may even attack larger prey like young rabbits.

CAT BODY PARTS NAME

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.1. THE SKELETON

Spine, hind legs, and front legs. A cat's skeleton is strong yet very lightweight. Its spine is
highly flexible, allowing for great agility in jumping and swift movement. The flexibility
and strength of its joints also enable it to leap great distances without harm, and its long
tail is crucial for maintaining balance.

 Function

 The skeleton is the internal structure of the body, mainly constituted by the
Protects delicate internal organs.
 The skull protects the brain and sensory organs, such as the eyes.
 The pelvis shields lower abdominal organs, like the uterus in females.
 The vertebrae (spine) safeguard the nerves comprising the spinal cord.
 The ribs protect all the organs located in the chest, such as the heart and lungs.

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.2. THE SKIN

In reality, the skin is the largest organ that an animal has. A cat's skin is covered with fur
(although certain breeds have been selected to lack it). Fur is important as it helps maintain body
heat and protects the skin from injuries. It can react to a threat by standing on end, making the
cat appear larger.

plays an important indirect role in cat protection. In nature, the colors of the animal's fur can be
sensitive to its environment. Certain parts of the cat's skin or fur have evolved to perform
specific functions:

The paws are covered with pads of much thicker skin than the rest of the body.

Whiskers are longer and thicker than normal fur, and they are very sensitive to touch. They are
found on the head and other parts of the body, allowing the cat to receive information from its
surroundings.

 Principal Function

Its main function is to protect the body from infections, physical injuries, and heat and water
loss. A cat's skin is less tightly bound to underlying structures than in humans, allowing for
increased flexibility.

1.3. THE EAR

Cats have large ears that they can move easily, enabling them to locate the source of very faint
noises. The inner ear works together with the brain to help maintain balance.

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.4. VISION

Cats also have very good vision, developed to assist them in their hunting function. Their eyes
are large and positioned at the front of the skull, allowing for excellent depth perception. Unlike
the round pupils of humans, a cat's pupils are elliptical and become thin slits in bright light. A
reflective layer behind the eye allows them to capture all available light for better night vision.
This reflective layer is what gives the impression that a cat's eyes shine in the dark.

1.5. SMELL

Smell is a crucial sense for cats. It allows them to mark their territory, recognize other animals
(in this case, smell is more important than sight), and communicate with other cats. Smells are
detected by nerve endings in the cat's nose and interpreted by the brain. Cats have a
supplementary sensory organ inside the mouth (Jacobson's organ) that enhances their sense of
smell.

1.6. TASTE

A cat's tongue is covered with sensitive areas that allow it to detect sour, bitter, and salty tastes.
However, unlike humans, they cannot detect sweet flavors.

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.7. THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The respiratory system transports air from the nose to small cavities in the lungs (called
pulmonary alveoli). The respiratory system is responsible for warming and filtering the
air to deliver it to the lungs, where the body absorbs oxygen and expels carbon dioxide
during exhalation.

CAT RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.8. THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, veins, arteries, and small blood vessels.
It is responsible for transporting blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen, nutrients,
blood cells, and carrying waste to the appropriate locations. Blood is also crucial for
maintaining body heat.

CAT CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.9. THE URINARY SYSTEM

The main function of the urinary system is to control the body's water balance and
eliminate toxins. The kidneys filter the blood, removing excess water and toxins that go
to the bladder, where they are stored until the cat urinates and expels them. Chemicals
present in urine are used as a means of olfactory communication among cats.

CAT URINARY TRACT SYSTEM

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.10. THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The digestive system is responsible for absorbing food to incorporate it into the body,
breaking down and absorbing all nutrients before expelling undigested food and other
waste from the body. Digestion begins in the mouth, where nutrient absorption and
chewing take place. A cat's teeth are perfectly adapted to its hunting function. It can seize
its prey and bite into it with the help of its long, pointed canines, while its molars allow it
to shred the meat.

CAT DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.11. THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The male cat has two testicles located just below the anus, in unneutered cats. It has a
penis covered with small, painful spines for the female during mating. When mature, the
female goes into heat regularly, especially in early spring when she is most receptive to
mating. Mating stimulates the production of eggs. A female can bear several kittens at the
same time, sometimes even from different fathers.

CAT REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.12. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Its mission is to transmit messages from the body to the brain and vice versa, through
nerves and the spinal cord. The brain is responsible for controlling all bodily processes,
from breathing to temperature regulation.

CAT NERVOUS SYSTEM

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 Topic: Anatomy of a Cat.
Authors: Z. Avalos, V. Cabello, T. Suarez.

1.13. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

It is composed of several glands that produce hormones. These glands include the
pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the pancreas, the ovaries, and the testicles.

CAT ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

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