Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Brisket Look first Lower chest at the front of the body, between and just ahead of the forelegs.
How to find it Drop straight down from the shoulder into the chest floor.
Do not confuse Heart Girth — heart girth wraps around the body just behind the front legs.
Memory cue Brisket = Drop straight down from the shoulder into the chest floor.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Dewlap Look first Loose fold of skin along the underside of the neck.
How to find it Trace the underside of the neck toward the brisket.
Do not confuse Brisket — dewlap is skin under the neck; brisket is the lower chest.
Memory cue Dewlap = Trace the underside of the neck toward the brisket.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Hock Look first Large joint on the rear leg below the stifle and above the pastern.
How to find it On the rear leg, find the obvious backward-bending joint.
Do not confuse Stifle is higher and more forward; Pastern is lower near the hoof.
Memory cue Hock = On the rear leg, find the obvious backward-bending joint.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Loin Look first Top of the body behind the back/rib region and ahead of the hip/rump.
How to find it Move rearward along the topline from the back toward the hip.
Do not confuse Back — back is more forward over the ribs.
Memory cue Loin = Move rearward along the topline from the back toward the hip.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Muzzle Look first Nose and mouth end of the head.
How to find it The farthest-forward point of the head.
Do not confuse Jaw — jaw is behind and below the muzzle.
Memory cue Muzzle = The farthest-forward point of the head.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Pastern Look first Short lower-leg section immediately above the hoof.
How to find it Go to the bottom of the leg and move just above the hoof.
Do not confuse Hock — hock is the much higher rear-leg joint.
Memory cue Pastern = Go to the bottom of the leg and move just above the hoof.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Rump Look first Upper hindquarter from the hip area toward the tail head.
How to find it Find the sloping top of the hindquarter behind the loin.
Do not confuse Round — round is lower and more muscular on the rear leg.
Memory cue Rump = Find the sloping top of the hindquarter behind the loin.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Shoulder Look first Front body where the foreleg joins the torso.
How to find it Find the large front-body junction directly above the foreleg.
Do not confuse Crops — crops are just behind the shoulder on the upper rib area.
Memory cue Shoulder = Find the large front-body junction directly above the foreleg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Ham Look first Large muscular upper rear leg/hindquarter.
How to find it Look for the thick muscle mass of the rear leg.
Do not confuse Rump — rump is the top of the hindquarter above the ham.
Memory cue Ham = Look for the thick muscle mass of the rear leg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Jowl Look first Fleshy lower cheek/jaw area behind the snout.
How to find it Look under the face where the cheek blends into the neck.
Do not confuse Face — face is higher; Neck begins farther back.
Memory cue Jowl = Look under the face where the cheek blends into the neck.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Loin Look first Top rear-middle portion of the body, behind the back and ahead of the rump.
How to find it Follow the topline rearward from the back toward the rump.
Do not confuse Back — back is more forward.
Memory cue Loin = Follow the topline rearward from the back toward the rump.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Snout Look first Projecting nose and mouth at the front of the head.
How to find it The farthest-forward point of the pig.
Do not confuse Face — face is behind and above the snout.
Memory cue Snout = The farthest-forward point of the pig.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Stifle Look first Forward joint of the hind leg where it meets the body.
How to find it Find the upper rear-leg joint on the front edge of the ham.
Do not confuse Hock — hock is lower on the rear leg.
Memory cue Stifle = Find the upper rear-leg joint on the front edge of the ham.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Pastern Look first Lower-leg section immediately above the hoof/toes.
How to find it Go to the bottom of the front leg and move just above the hoof.
Do not confuse Knee — knee is much higher on the front leg; Dewclaw is the small accessory digit.
Memory cue Pastern = Go to the bottom of the front leg and move just above the hoof.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Back Look first Topline over the middle of the rib cage, ahead of the loin.
How to find it Find the long, level top of the body behind the shoulder.
Do not confuse Loin — the loin is farther rearward, between the back/rib area and the rump.
Memory cue Back = Find the long, level top of the body behind the shoulder.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Crops Look first Upper front body immediately behind the top of the shoulder.
How to find it Look just behind the shoulder on the upper side of the rib cage.
Do not confuse Shoulder — shoulder is the front body/foreleg attachment; crops sit just behind it.
Memory cue Crops = Look just behind the shoulder on the upper side of the rib cage.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Fore Rib Look first Front portion of the rib cage directly behind the shoulder.
How to find it Start at the shoulder and move slightly rearward onto the ribs.
Do not confuse Ribs — fore rib is the front rib region; ribs extend farther back across the middle.
Memory cue Fore Rib = Start at the shoulder and move slightly rearward onto the ribs.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Heart Girth Look first Body depth immediately behind the forelegs, around the heart/chest region.
How to find it Picture the place a girth would circle the animal just behind the front legs.
Do not confuse Brisket — brisket is lower and farther forward.
Memory cue Heart Girth = Picture the place a girth would circle the animal just behind the front legs.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Hind Flank Look first Lower rear side of the abdomen immediately in front of the hind leg.
How to find it Find the soft lower side just ahead of the rear leg.
Do not confuse Twist — twist is between the upper rear legs; hind flank is on the side.
Memory cue Hind Flank = Find the soft lower side just ahead of the rear leg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Hip or Hook Look first Prominent forward point of the pelvis at the top of the hindquarter.
How to find it Find the first high pelvic point after the loin.
Do not confuse Pin Bones — pin bones are farther rearward near the tail setting.
Memory cue Hip or Hook = Find the first high pelvic point after the loin.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Jaw Look first Lower side of the head behind the muzzle.
How to find it Follow the bottom edge of the head back from the muzzle.
Do not confuse Muzzle — muzzle is the nose/mouth end; jaw is behind it.
Memory cue Jaw = Follow the bottom edge of the head back from the muzzle.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Knee Look first Front-leg joint below the forearm and above the lower leg.
How to find it Find the obvious joint about midway down the front leg.
Do not confuse Pastern — pastern is much lower, immediately above the hoof.
Memory cue Knee = Find the obvious joint about midway down the front leg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Neck Look first Area connecting the head to the shoulder.
How to find it Trace from the poll/jaw rearward to the shoulder.
Do not confuse Dewlap — dewlap is the loose skin on the underside of the neck.
Memory cue Neck = Trace from the poll/jaw rearward to the shoulder.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Pin Bones Look first Rear points of the pelvis below and behind the hip/hook.
How to find it Look at the rear pelvic point just before the tail-head area.
Do not confuse Hip or Hook — hip/hook is farther forward on the pelvis.
Memory cue Pin Bones = Look at the rear pelvic point just before the tail-head area.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Poll Look first Top of the head between and just behind the ears.
How to find it Find the crown of the head where it joins the upper neck.
Do not confuse Neck — poll is on the head; neck begins behind it.
Memory cue Poll = Find the crown of the head where it joins the upper neck.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Ribs Look first Middle side of the body over the rib cage.
How to find it Center of the barrel, behind fore rib and below the back.
Do not confuse Fore Rib — fore rib is only the front portion immediately behind the shoulder.
Memory cue Ribs = Center of the barrel, behind fore rib and below the back.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Round Look first Large muscular rear-leg/hindquarter region.
How to find it Look at the heavy muscle mass of the upper rear leg.
Do not confuse Rump — rump is the upper topline surface of the hindquarter.
Memory cue Round = Look at the heavy muscle mass of the upper rear leg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Switch Look first Long hair at the end of the tail.
How to find it Follow the tail to the hanging tuft at its end.
Do not confuse Tail Head — tail head is where the tail attaches to the body.
Memory cue Switch = Follow the tail to the hanging tuft at its end.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Tail Head Look first Point where the tail attaches to the rump.
How to find it Find the base of the tail at the top rear of the body.
Do not confuse Switch — switch is the hair at the far end of the tail.
Memory cue Tail Head = Find the base of the tail at the top rear of the body.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Beef body parts ●
Twist Look first Area between the upper rear legs beneath the hindquarter.
How to find it Look between the rear legs just below the round.
Do not confuse Hind Flank — hind flank lies on the side immediately in front of the rear leg.
Memory cue Twist = Look between the rear legs just below the round.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Back Look first Topline over the middle portion of the body.
How to find it Find the long top of the pig behind the shoulder.
Do not confuse Loin — loin is farther rearward along the topline.
Memory cue Back = Find the long top of the pig behind the shoulder.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Belly Look first Lower middle underside of the body.
How to find it Find the lowest long underline of the body between front and rear legs.
Do not confuse Rear Flank — rear flank is the lower side just ahead of the hind leg.
Memory cue Belly = Find the lowest long underline of the body between front and rear legs.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Dewclaw Look first Small accessory digit above and behind the main toes on the lower leg.
How to find it Look just above the hoof/toes on the rear side of the lower leg.
Do not confuse Pastern — pastern is the lower leg section above the hoof; dewclaw is the small digit.
Memory cue Dewclaw = Look just above the hoof/toes on the rear side of the lower leg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Ear Look first External ear on top/side of the head.
How to find it Use the ear itself, not its carriage, as the landmark.
Do not confuse Face — face is the front plane of the head below and ahead of the ear.
Memory cue Ear = Use the ear itself, not its carriage, as the landmark.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Face Look first Front of the head between the eyes/forehead and the snout.
How to find it Move from the ear/eye area forward toward the snout.
Do not confuse Snout — snout is the projecting nose/mouth end.
Memory cue Face = Move from the ear/eye area forward toward the snout.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Fore Rib Look first Front part of the rib cage immediately behind the shoulder.
How to find it Start at the shoulder and move slightly rearward onto the body wall.
Do not confuse Shoulder — shoulder is farther forward at the foreleg attachment.
Memory cue Fore Rib = Start at the shoulder and move slightly rearward onto the body wall.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Hock Look first Rear-leg joint below the stifle and above the pastern.
How to find it Find the rear leg's prominent lower joint.
Do not confuse Stifle is higher and forward; Pastern is lower near the hoof.
Memory cue Hock = Find the rear leg's prominent lower joint.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Knee Look first Front-leg joint below the forearm and above the lower leg.
How to find it Find the middle joint of the front leg.
Do not confuse Pastern — pastern is much lower near the hoof.
Memory cue Knee = Find the middle joint of the front leg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Neck Look first Area connecting the head/jowl to the shoulder.
How to find it Find the short transition between head and shoulder.
Do not confuse Jowl — jowl is the fleshy lower cheek in front of the neck.
Memory cue Neck = Find the short transition between head and shoulder.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Rear Flank Look first Lower rear side of the body immediately in front of the hind leg.
How to find it Find the tucked lower-side region just ahead of the ham.
Do not confuse Belly — belly is more central along the underside.
Memory cue Rear Flank = Find the tucked lower-side region just ahead of the ham.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Rump Look first Top of the hindquarter behind the loin and ahead of the tail.
How to find it Find the upper rear body where the topline slopes toward the tail.
Do not confuse Ham — ham is lower and more muscular.
Memory cue Rump = Find the upper rear body where the topline slopes toward the tail.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Shoulder Look first Front body where the foreleg joins the torso.
How to find it Find the front-body junction directly above the foreleg.
Do not confuse Fore Rib — fore rib begins just behind the shoulder.
Memory cue Shoulder = Find the front-body junction directly above the foreleg.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI Live-animal external anatomy Mapes Livestock Photos / Keystone International · CC BY 2.0 Source and license ↗ The detailed body-parts room adds numbered markers only where the landmark is clear on this exact photo.
Open photo-based body-parts study → Swine body parts ●
Tail Look first Tail projecting from the rear of the rump.
How to find it Find the appendage at the very rear of the animal.
Do not confuse Rump — rump is the body region immediately in front of the tail.
Memory cue Tail = Find the appendage at the very rear of the animal.
Speed Slow Normal Fast Voice Device Natural AI 
Open full-resolution photo ↗