Comparative and Functional Anatomy in Veterinary and Animal Sciences—2nd Edition

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Anatomy, Histology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 1986

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, (MVPA), University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Interests: veterinary anatomy; embryology and morphogenesis; animal production
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Guest Editor
School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES), Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne Dookie Campus, Melbourne, VIC 3647, Australia
Interests: animal science; anatomy and morphology; endocrinology and metabolism; genetics; biostatistics; developmental biology; ecology; veterinary sciences; physiology; biotechnology

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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
Interests: veterinary; laboratory animals; survey

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the great success of our previous Special Issue, “Comparative and Functional Anatomy in Veterinary and Animal Sciences” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/vetsci/special_issues/9G59KO9G7G), which successfully published 5 high-quality articles covering a broad range of topics, we are pleased to announce the launch of Volume II.

Understanding the comparative and functional anatomy of animals is fundamental to advances in veterinary medicine, animal biology, and translational research. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent research progress in anatomical studies that deepens our knowledge of species-specific morphology, structural adaptations, and their physiological implications. We welcome original research, reviews, and case studies that explore gross and microscopic anatomy, morphometry, imaging techniques, and the anatomical basis of disease. Contributions that compare anatomical structures across domestic and wild species, relate form to function, or integrate developmental and evolutionary perspectives are particularly encouraged. Studies using innovative tools, such as 3D modeling, histological staining, or molecular markers to reveal anatomical–functional relationships, are also within the scope of this Special Issue. This Special Issue will offer a multidisciplinary platform for anatomists, veterinarians, and animal scientists to share insights and promote a comparative understanding across species.

Prof. Dr. Lucianna Maruccio
Dr. Muhammed Elayadeth Meethal
Dr. Maria Dolores García-Manzanares
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • comparative anatomy
  • functional morphology
  • veterinary science
  • animal physiology
  • morphological adaptation
  • imaging techniques
  • histology
  • evolutionary anatomy
  • species differences
  • musculoskeletal system

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 7025 KB  
Article
Preliminary Anatomical and Imaging Characterization of Vascular and Neural Changes in Dogs with Perineal Hernia
by Mercedes Marañón-Almendros, Luis Avedillo, Gonzalo Sánchez-Banderas and Nieves Martín-Alguacil
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040353 - 3 Apr 2026
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Abstract
A perineal hernia in dogs results from a failure of the pelvic diaphragm and is often accompanied by a displacement of the pelvic and abdominal organs. However, detailed descriptions of accompanying vascular and neural alterations are limited. This study uses a combination of [...] Read more.
A perineal hernia in dogs results from a failure of the pelvic diaphragm and is often accompanied by a displacement of the pelvic and abdominal organs. However, detailed descriptions of accompanying vascular and neural alterations are limited. This study uses a combination of fluoroscopic imaging and anatomical dissection to characterize the perineal arterial and neural anatomy in two control dogs and three dogs with unilateral or bilateral perineal hernias; however, only one control underwent fluoroscopy, and neural dissection was performed on one control and on the bilateral case. In the control specimen, the vascular pattern followed the classical NAV arrangement. In contrast, the hernia cases exhibited marked variability, including altered origins and lengths of the dorsal and ventral perineal arteries; long- or short-type internal iliac and internal pudendal arteries; and displacement or deterioration of the superficial perineal nerve. These changes were most pronounced in the dog with a bilateral hernia, which was accompanied by severe degeneration of the levator ani and coccygeus muscles and herniation of the colon, urinary bladder, and urethra. Fluoroscopic findings closely corresponded with anatomical observations, demonstrating the value of imaging in the preoperative assessment of vascular variations. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive description of the neurovascular and muscular modifications associated with perineal hernias and emphasizes the need for individualized anatomical evaluations to optimize surgical planning and reduce intraoperative risks. Full article
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22 pages, 4982 KB  
Article
Hand Musculature of the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): An Anatomical Study with Reference to the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta)
by Lise E. Collijs, Jolien Horemans, Jaco Bakker and Christophe Casteleyn
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030291 - 19 Mar 2026
Viewed by 602
Abstract
The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a New World Monkey that frequently serves as a model in biomedical research. Our knowledge of its anatomy is the fundament of the provision of the correct environment, housing, and care together with provision of [...] Read more.
The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a New World Monkey that frequently serves as a model in biomedical research. Our knowledge of its anatomy is the fundament of the provision of the correct environment, housing, and care together with provision of accurate medical care in the case it gets wounded. In this anatomical research article, the focus is on the hand musculature, as it plays a pivotal role in the interaction with the environment and conspecifics. Surprisingly, anatomical works on the common marmoset are scarce. The available books and atlases are either outdated in terms of illustrations, providing only simplified line drawings, and/or fail to recapitulate the anatomy of the hand using contemporary anatomical nomenclature. The present work describes the myology of the hand, based on dissections of common marmoset cadavers. Color photographs taken during the subsequent steps of the examinations lead the reader through the textual descriptions. Dorsal and palmar views of the antebrachial muscles with influence on the wrist and hand as well as the intrinsic hand musculature are scrutinized. The findings are finally discussed in view of potential contradictions with the available literature. In addition, comparison is made with the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) whose hand musculature was recently revisited. It is concluded that the hand musculature of both species is highly similar, although remarkable differences are present. This work could serve as an anatomical foundation for medical interventions of the injured hand. Full article
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14 pages, 1132 KB  
Article
Sella Turcica Shape as a Marker for Breed and Sex Classification in Sheep
by Eylem Bektaş Bilgiç, Tomasz Szara, Ozan Gündemir, Zuzanna Kaska, Muhammed Taha Temir, Barış Can Güzel, Fatma İşbilir, Emine İrem Deveci, Alexandra-Andreea Cherșunaru and Mihaela-Claudia Spataru
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030290 - 19 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Recent anatomical and morphometric studies indicate that the sella turcica is a structurally informative region and a distinctive anatomical formation that can exhibit shape variation among individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in three dimensions, the extent to which sella [...] Read more.
Recent anatomical and morphometric studies indicate that the sella turcica is a structurally informative region and a distinctive anatomical formation that can exhibit shape variation among individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in three dimensions, the extent to which sella turcica morphology differs among three sheep breeds (Akkaraman, Morkaraman, Zom) and between sexes. A total of 102 specimens were examined. All skulls were CT-scanned specifically for this study; the sella turcica region was reconstructed as a three-dimensional model, and 12 anatomical landmarks were manually digitized for each specimen. The findings showed that sella turcica size differed among breeds, with the Zom group exhibiting the largest sella turcica size. In contrast, no clear size difference was observed between females and males. Shape assessment also revealed differences among breeds, largely driven by the separation of Zom from Akkaraman and Morkaraman, whereas no distinct sex-related shape pattern was detected. Importantly, the breed-related shape differences persisted after accounting for size effects. Overall, these results suggest that the sella turcica carries a breed-associated morphological signal in sheep, while showing no pronounced sexual differentiation in the present sample. Full article
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