Fetal Pig Dissection Notes

Day 1: Group Roles & Anatomical Directions

Group Roles

• Dissector: Responsible for dissecting
• Recorder: Takes notes and records data
• Manager: Ensures tasks are completed, reads slides
• Assistant: Cleans up post-dissection

Anatomical Directions on Fetal Pig

• Anterior: Front end
• Posterior: Back end
• Dorsal: Back side
• Ventral: Belly side
• Lateral: Side
• Medial: Middle

Body Cavities & Organ Placement

Labeling Body Cavities

• Cranial cavity: Contains the brain
• Thoracic cavity: Contains heart, lungs
• Abdominal cavity: Contains digestive organs
• Pelvic cavity: Contains reproductive organs

Organ Cavity Matching

• Thoracic: Heart, lungs, thymus, thyroid
• Pelvic: Reproductive organs, bladder, rectum
• Cranial: Brain
• Spinal: Spinal cord
• Abdominal: Stomach, intestines, liver

Body Planes

• Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right
• Transverse Plane: Divides body into upper and lower
• Frontal Plane: Divides body into front and back

External Anatomy & Structures

Pig Gender Identification

• Male: Urogenital opening near umbilical cord
• Female: Urogenital opening near anus

Integumentary System

• Similarities to humans: Hair structure; have sweat glands
• Differences to humans: Lack sufficient sweat for cooling
• Highest hair concentration: Head, rump, around eyes

Digestive System

Digestive Organ Functions

• Liver: Accessory organ, produces bile
• Stomach: Smooth muscle, mechanically churns food
• Small Intestine: Absorbs nutrients, lined with villi

Digestive Problems

• Pyloric sphincter issues: Causes difficulty moving food to intestine

Urinary System

Kidney Function

• Renal Artery/Vein: Blood filtration process
• Urinary Pathway: Kidney → Ureter → Bladder → Urethra

Endocrine System

Glands & Hormones

• Thyroid: Regulates metabolism
• Thymus: Produces T cells, shrinks with age
• Pancreas: Produces insulin, glucagon
• Adrenal Gland: Produces hormones like adrenaline

Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems

Heart Functionality

• Right atrium/ventricle: Deoxygenated blood passage
• Left atrium/ventricle: Oxygenated blood passage

Lung Functionality

• Diaphragm: Controls inhalation/exhalation
• Respiratory Tract: Larynx, trachea, bronchi, alveoli

Blood Flow Path

• Flow sequence: Body → Right atrium → Right ventricle → Pulmonary artery → Lungs → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Aorta → Body

General Questions

• Differences in Pig & Human Anatomy: Liver has more lobes in pigs
• Digestive System: Accessory organs produce enzymes
• Heat Stroke Susceptibility: Pigs lack effective sweat cooling
• Movement Mechanics: Muscles and tendons move bones

Conclusion

• Endocrine System Role: Hormone production
• Surgical Observations: Easy cut due to cartilage structure in fetal pigs
• Collaborative Learning: All group members contribute to understanding and answering questions

Congratulations on completing the fetal pig dissection!