Basic Rat Anatomy
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The rat's body is divided into six anatomical regions:
- cranial region (head)
- cervical region (neck)
- pectoral region (area where the front legs attach)
- thoracic region (chest area)
- abdomen (belly)
- pelvic region (area where the back legs attach)
Notes of interest
- The mouth has a large cleft in the upper lip which exposes large front incisors - these continue to grow for as long as the rat lives.
- The eyes have large pupils and a nictitating membrane found at the inside corner of the eye. This membrane can be drawn across the eye for protection.
- The ears are composed of the external part, called the pinna, and the auditory meatus, the ear canal.