Many people have pets. Cats of various breeds enjoy considerable popularity. These fluffy, affectionate and quiet creatures have attracted human attention from time immemorial. However, how much do we know about our favorites? What is the physiology and anatomy of a cat? What are the characteristics of her sight, hearing and touch? In this article we will try to find answers to these and other questions.
But first, let's see if cats are so different? Many might ask: does the structure of a cat depend on its breed? Actually the answer is simple - no. In this case, we can draw an analogy with people. All people are different - each person’s appearance is unique. So it is with our pets. The breed determines only the size of the cat, the length of the coat and its color, the size and shape of the eyes, as well as some other external signs. So what are the anatomy and physiology of a cat?
Cat's internal organs
The most important part of cat anatomy is the internal organs. Cats are known to be mammals. So the structure of their body is not so significantly different from the structure of the human body. Consider it with a good example:
From this perspective, you can well see the internal structure of the cat.
Cat breathing organs
Under the number 1 in the figure shows the respiratory system - the trachea, and behind it the lungs. But this is not the whole respiratory system of a cat. Air enters the nasal cavity, where it is cleaned and disinfected, then passes through the larynx, transferred to the trachea, and finally completes its path - passes through the bronchi into the lungs. Further, the circulatory system ensures the supply of oxygen to all internal organs for their complete enrichment. It becomes clear that the respiratory system of a cat is similar to the human respiratory system. However, a significant difference is the size of the internal organs. In addition, the respiratory rate of a cat varies from 15 to 110 breaths per minute (depending on the age, as well as the physical and emotional state of the cat).
Number 4 is the heart. The main organ that provides the vital functions of the whole organism.
Digestive system
The system is quite complex in its structure and functioning. It begins with the oral cavity. Then the food passes through the esophagus (number 2) into the stomach, which consists of one chamber. The stomach of cats is quite flexible, it is able to adapt to the amount of food received. So, if a pet eats too much at a time, the food will simply stay longer in an extended stomach, and then calmly enter the digestion process.
The number 3 indicates the liver. The mass of the liver of an adult animal can reach 100 grams. The liver is a large enough gland that produces bile. The "reservoir" for storing bile - the gall bladder - is indicated by the number 5. Another important organ of the digestive system is the spleen (number 7).
The number 6 indicates the intestines of the cat, which has a complex structure. Reaches 2 meters in length. It consists of a small intestine (~ 1.7 meters) and a large intestine (~ 0.3 meters in length). As in humans, the small intestine includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; and the large intestine - the cecum, colon and rectum. In the intestine, the cat’s digestion process ends, and solid feces are formed, which are excreted through the anus.
Excretory system
The cat's excretory system also has a no less complex structure. It consists of kidneys, compactly located behind the intestines; urinary tract (number 8) that connect the kidneys to the bladder (number 9); and the urethra, through which unnecessary fluid is eliminated from the bladder.
So, we have an idea of what the structure of the cat’s body and its internal organs is.
Now let's move on to the anatomy of the cat’s muscles and the structure of the musculoskeletal system.
Muscle structure of a cat
An equally important part of the cat’s anatomy is the muscles, thanks to which the bodies of cats seem incredibly plastic and flexible to us. There are about 495 of them in the cat's body. It is worth noting that in this case we are talking only about striated muscles, since the smooth muscle type is present mainly in the internal organs (covers their internal or external surface) and coordinates the work of the cat's body.
Meanwhile, the muscles consisting of striated tissue are attached with tendons to the bones and provide the cat with movement and normal functioning. This type of muscle is covered with a special protective shell that prevents muscle friction and allows the cat to freely perform any action.
Jaw muscles
In a cat, as in a person, the jaw muscles are located in the mouth, which help with the primary processing of food, that is, with chewing.
Muscles of the forelimbs
The muscles of the cat’s front legs, namely the shoulder and lower part of the paw, have a complex structure. The mobility of the cat's legs is provided by the extensor muscles of the fingers located in the forelimbs. The shoulder is a powerful triceps and superficial deltoid muscle. It is these muscles that can often be seen on the cat's body, since they usually have a fairly large load.
Body muscles
They appear to be strong back and abdominal muscles.
On the back there is a wide trapezius muscle and back muscles. They are quite powerful and occupy a significant part of the cat's body.
The oblique muscles of the abdomen are also a very important part of the cat’s muscle corset. They fix the compact arrangement of internal organs. They also (together with the back muscles) allow you to run, roll over on your back or stomach, and also form the shape of the cat’s body and provide its flexibility and grace.
Muscles of the hind limbs
Represented by the tailor, calf and gluteus muscles, as well as the biceps femoris.
The tailor muscle located in the back of the body is responsible for the movement of the knee. The calf muscle performs a function similar to that of the extensor muscle of the fingers in the forelimbs. She coordinates the movement of the lower part of the paw and her fingers.
The gluteal muscles and biceps femoris are responsible for the movement of the thigh, that is, in fact for the movement of the hind limbs of the cat. It is thanks to them that cats are able to develop high speed when running, and are also able to perform fairly high jumps.
Musculoskeletal system
The anatomy of a cat also appears to be its musculoskeletal system, which consists of muscles and bones. The muscle structure we have already disassembled. So, let's move on to the structure and functions of cat bones.
In this photo you can clearly see the structure of the skeleton of a cat. It consists of approximately 240-245 bones (in this case, their number depends on the breed of the cat or on the injuries received by it, in connection with which there is a different number of bones in the tail). We consider in detail the structure of each part of the cat's body.
Skull and neck bones
The anatomy of a cat's head is very complex. A significant influence on it is exerted by the bones of the skull, due to which the shape of the head is created, and which are also the basis for the attachment of various glands. The skull of a cat consists of 29 bones. It is considered very compact and small. Also, the skull is formed by the jaws, the front part and the zygomatic arch.
The neck of cats, like other mammals, consists of seven vertebrae.
Bones of the forelimbs
The front limbs of cats are relatively simple. The phalanges of the fingers make up the paws. Moreover, on the front legs of cats, five fingers.
The lower part of the limb (part of the so-called "forearm") contains two adjacent bones - the ulnar and radial. They are strong enough and strong. The humeral part consists of a powerful humerus. In addition, cats lack clavicles, so the bones of the forelimbs join the chest.
Torso bone apparatus
It has a complex, but at the same time similar to human structure.
The torso of the cat begins with the shoulder blades. Next are special chest spikes (they can be seen in the figure).
The chest includes thirteen thoracic vertebrae and thirteen pairs of ribs (of which two pairs are located freely, that is, are not fixed).
This is followed by three sacral and seven lumbar vertebrae. They form, along with the cervical, thoracic and caudal vertebrae, the spine of the animal.
The ilium is attached to the ilium located in the posterior torso. And the sciatic and pubic bone make up the pelvis of the animal, forming the location of the genital and excretory organs.
Hind bones
The hind limbs of a cat consist of a powerful bone of the thigh; located below the knee of the tibia and tibia; as well as from the bones of the wrist (these are the metatarsal bones and in this case four phalanges of the fingers).
The tail of a cat, depending on its breed, consists of 17-28 vertebrae.
Paws
The paws and tails of a cat are extremely interesting to study parts of the body. So, what are the features of the legs of these beautiful animals?
It is important to note that about a quarter of cats are ambidextras. That is, they can use both their right and left paws for their needs.
On the paws of cats are special pads. They are equipped with a large number of nerve endings, therefore they are considered very sensitive, react to a sharp increase or decrease in temperature, to contact with very hot or cold objects. Nevertheless, they are stable and not subject to mechanical influences of the environment. When hunting, cats receive very important information with their paws. They are even capable of sensing and evaluating the so-called “vibrations,” or vibration of the earth’s surface. This is necessary to detect and catch a potential victim.
Interestingly, long enough claws of cats do not interfere with their rapid movement, and also allow you to walk silently. This is due to the fact that the claws are able to "retract" into the paws.
As mentioned earlier, cats have only 18 fingers (five on the front and four on the hind legs).
Thus, the legs are the most important organ of touch of cats, they need to obtain information about the environment.
Tail
The tail of a cat is an extension of the spine. Despite the fact that it is able to bend to some extent, it still has a "bone" composition.
The structure of the tail of a cat cannot be called complex. It includes from 17 to 28 thin vertebrae that give it a shape. Much more important for the owners is that the tail is a tool for expressing the emotions of the pet. With the help of a tail, a cat shows its joy, satisfaction, happiness, irritation or rage.
The sensory organs of cats
The main organs of touch - the paws - we have already considered above. Now consider the main signs and characteristics of the organs of vision, hearing, taste and smell of cats. We will be able to get answers to such interesting questions as, for example: how good is the hearing of cats, how do cats see? What are the features of their sense of taste? Can cats identify their master by smell? Well, and some others.
Vision
A cat's eyes are considered large relative to their body size. The iris of the eyes, like people, can be different: from emerald green to pale blue.
Cats' eyesight is adapted for hunting, and therefore they have a view of more than 200 degrees. Also, the pupils of cats, expanding or contracting, perfectly adapt to the lighting. Therefore, we can say that in the dark, cats see much better than people.
Hearing
The hearing of cats is much better than human. They hear a much greater variety of sounds. Moreover, more than fifty thousand nerve endings are located in the ear of pets. In this regard, the hearing of cats is very sharp and accurate. Cats are also capable of perceiving ultrasound, which the human ear is not capable of.
Sense of smell
The sense of smell of animals is also very well developed (due to the large number of nerve endings inside the nose). This helps cats in hunting and finding victims.
Cats are able to determine their owner by smell (most often they perceive their own smell, left, for example, on human clothing). However, it is much easier for cats to recognize a loved one by voice or facial features.
Taste
The tongue of cats is covered with a huge amount of hard "papillae", which are most often used to cleanse the hair. The sense of taste in cats is poorly developed, they can only determine if the food is acidic, bitter, salty or sweet.
Mustache
They have a scientific name - vibrissa. They are located on the head, on the legs and on the body. What is the function of a mustache in a cat? Mustache is the most important organ of touch, helping cats navigate in space and find the right places. With the help of a mustache, cats communicate with each other, show their mood and perceive information coming from the environment. Thus, a mustache is the most important sensory organ of a cat.
So, we got acquainted with the anatomy of a cat and the structure of its body. Now, perhaps, it became clear to you how the organism of these beautiful creatures functions and what it consists of. Love and appreciate your pets, because each of them is special and beautiful in its own way!