Required Text and Materials:

VanPutte, C., Seeley, R., Regan, C., & Russo, A., Stephens, T. (2022). Seeley's Anatomy and Physiology. (13th Ed.). McGraw-Hill.

ISBN-10: 1264421001

ISBN-13: 978-1-264-42100-8

Synthesis and Application. Read the following case and then answer the questions below, using your textbook and resources. Provide a works cited page in apa format. 

The Curious Case of the Missing Mass

Murphy, an 8-year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever, arrived at the clinic for his routine wellness exam. Known for his gentle demeanor and love of treats, Murphy had been a regular visitor over the years. During the physical exam, the veterinary technician palpated several soft, movable lumps along Murphy’s trunk and limbs—lipomas that had been previously documented and deemed benign.

However, one new mass caught the technician’s attention. It was firmer, less mobile, and located near Murphy’s front right limb. The technician recorded its position as “superior to the front limb” and noted it measured under 2 cm. The veterinarian, concerned about its texture and location, suspected a mast cell tumor and scheduled Murphy for surgical removal the following week.

On the day of surgery, Murphy was prepped and anesthetized. The surgeon reviewed the technician’s notes and began palpating the superior region of the front limb. After several minutes of searching and rechecking, the mass was nowhere to be found. Confused but determined, the team expanded their examination and eventually located the mass, just above the scapular region of the right front limb.

The surgery proceeded smoothly, and the mass was successfully excised. Pathology later confirmed it was an early-stage mast cell tumor with clean margins. Murphy recovered well and was back to chasing tennis balls within days.

Assignment:

Apply your understanding of anatomical terminology by analyzing how directional terms differ between bipedal and quadrupedal organisms, and explore the importance of precise language in clinical and scientific contexts. Your answer should include:

Descriptions of the different anatomical terms: Proximal, Distal, Superior, Inferior, Dorsal, Ventral, Cranial, Caudal

How does the use of these terms vary when discussing bipedal organisms compared to quadrupeds. 

Using proper anatomical terminology, how might Murphys mass have been better described to make it easier to locate?