Canine Body Systems & Anatomical Reference Map
How Organ Systems Interact in Canine Physiology and Where Common Conditions Arise
An anatomical overview of canine physiology connecting key organs—from the endocrine adrenal glands to the cardiovascular mitral valve—to common canine conditions.
Interactive Visual Breakdown
High-Contrast SVG / GridEndocrine System
Adrenal glands, Thyroid, Endocrine PancreasDigestive & Splenic
Stomach, Spleen, Liver, Exocrine PancreasCardiovascular
Heart, Mitral Valve, Pulmonary VasculatureMusculoskeletal
Stifle (knee), Spine discs, Hip jointsUrinary & Renal
Kidneys, Glomeruli, Bladder, UrethraCanine Anatomical Systems and Clinical Correlates: Endocrine System (Adrenal glands: Cushing's and Addison's disease; Pancreas: Diabetes mellitus; Thyroid: Hypothyroidism). Cardiovascular System (Heart and mitral valve: Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease MMVD, common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and older small breeds). Gastrointestinal System (Deep-chested stomach: Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus GDV; Pancreas: acute pancreatitis; Spleen: hemangiosarcoma and hematomas). Musculoskeletal System (Stifle/knee: Cranial Cruciate Ligament CCL rupture; Spine: Intervertebral Disc Disease IVDD in chondrodystrophic breeds like Dachshunds; Hips: Hip Dysplasia). Urinary System (Kidneys: chronic kidney disease; Bladder: struvite and calcium oxalate uroliths).
Related Published Dictionary Entries
Academic Sources & Guidelines
- Miller and Evans’ Anatomy of the Dog (5th Edition) – Elsevier Health Sciences[View Source]