Animal structures

Animal structures are anatomical parts, from cells and tissues to organs and body systems, whose forms support particular functions. Their organization varies across animal groups and environments.

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Animal cell: A eukaryotic cell specialized for roles in an animal's body. Animal cells are the smallest living units that build animal tissues.
Animal development: The processes by which an animal grows and forms its body structures. Development produces the tissues and organs whose forms anatomy describes.
Comparative anatomy: The comparison of anatomical structures across different organisms. Comparing structures reveals shared patterns and differences among animals.
Plant anatomy: The study of the internal and external structures of plants. Plant structures provide a contrast to animal tissues, organs, and body plans.
Animal tissue: A group of similar cells and extracellular material organized to perform shared functions. Tissues combine specialized cells into larger functional structures.
Organogenesis: The formation of organs during embryonic development. It explains how distinct organs arise from developing tissues.
Veterinary anatomy: The study of the structures of animals, especially as applied to veterinary medicine. It provides the anatomical basis for examining and treating animals.
Bacterial cell: A prokaryotic cell lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Animal cells are eukaryotic, unlike the prokaryotic cells of bacteria.
Organ: A body structure composed of multiple tissue types that performs particular functions. Organs assemble tissues into distinct anatomical units.
Morphogenesis: The biological process by which cells and tissues acquire shape and spatial organization. Morphogenesis generates the characteristic forms of animal structures.