The way in which most pigs are reared today results in veterinary attention being concentrated on infectious diseases and other matters affecting the herd rather than on conditions affecting the individual animal.

The short life span of usually 5 or 6 months generally allowed to pigs makes many interventions uneconomic. In addition, clinical examination of individual animals may be difficult because of the thick layer of subcutaneous fat (panniculus adipose) and the frequently aggressive disposition of older animals. A wide knowledge of the anatomy of the pig is therefore less necessary than it is for most other species. However, pigs are being increasingly used in biomedical research. Therefore, succinct description of their comparative anatomy is sufficient for the purpose of this book.