The focus of this chapter is integrated study of systematic osteology, arthrology, and myology.

The description of bones, muscles, and joints is grouped into regions of the body—the trunk, the head, the forelimb, and the hindlimb—to make them manageable and suitable to accompany dissection. Here, the dog is used as the model species, with only the most salient comparative features noted. Many additional details, particularly those that have an applied value, are found in the regional chapters. The introduction to each section mentions those features of development that are likely to be immediately helpful in understanding adult anatomy.