This course is designed to enable students to understand the principles of veterinary anatomy at the gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural levels in species relevant to the local context, including carnivores, swine, ruminants, equines, birds, and fish. The course emphasizes developmental anatomy to the extent that it reflects determination of adult form, species differences, and common congenital malformations. Radiologic and related imaging techniques are used throughout the course to assist in the understanding of normal structural anatomy. Understanding of the anatomic basis of common surgical procedures introduced during tutorials is achieved during the various dissection procedures. The course is based on tutorials with significant emphasis on practical laboratories. Lectures and modules complement student learning.

The course uses a regional approach with emphasis on relevant organ systems,  "finishing"€ each system within a finite time. The concept of an organ system as various organs collaborating to perform a common function, the constant balancing of basic concepts of body compartments, regional spatial organisation of organ systems, multiple levels of structural organisation, and the anatomical and basic physiological bases for physical diagnosis and radiological diagnosis is a major integrating goal for the course. Early in the course there is a basic understanding of the structure and function of the cardiovascular system, peripheral nervous system, and general concepts of the central nervous system. These systems are developed and integrated throughout the course (as they are throughout the body). In histology, students identify the basic tissues that comprise any given organ and the cells that comprise each tissue. Based on observations of cellular and tissue specialisations within an organ, students deduce the functional specialisation of an organ.