The most influential anatomist of the ancient world is reported to have been a doctor by the name of Galen. He was also a prolific author, who studied anatomy in Alexandria and later worked in Rome. Galen used for the most part animals as models for his anatomical studies of the human. The Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine trains veterinary surgeons who are expected to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the normal structure and function of the cow, sheep, goat, pig, horse, dog, cat, poultry and important species in fish farming. In addition, students must acquire a certain knowledge of animals such as reindeer, and fur and laboratory species.
Microscopic anatomy comprises cytology, general histology and organ histology.
The students themselves study the microscopic structure of tissues and organs with the light microscope. Embryology , the study of the development of the embryo and its organs, is also part of the veterinary anatomy course. Students gain a knowledge of macroscopic anatomy through, among other activities, dissection of dead animals. Macroanatomy may be either system-oriented or topographical. System-oriented anatomy deals with the structure of groups of organs that are closely related by a common function, for example, the digestive system, the circulatory system, the respiratory system, etc.