1. Overview

The bones of the skull protect the brain and the special sense organs (sight, smell, hearing, equilibrium and taste). They form the boundaries to the entrance of the digestive and respiratory systems. They also provide attachment to the facial muscles and the powerful muscles of mastication.

Different breeds of dogs have different shapes and lengths of the skull. Dogs with long skulls are called dolichocephalic (e.g., Greyhound, Collie, Borzoi) and those with short skulls are called brachycephalic (e.g., Bulldog, Small Spaniels, Pug, Pekingese). The skulls of the intermediate breeds are called mesaticephalic (e.g., Fox terrier, Dachshund).


2. Objectives:

DVM first year students will be able to: