Cat Dissection: A Guide for High School Science Labs

By: Stormie Askew

Chapter 1: Preparing the Cat

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Table of contents
Table of contents ................................................................................. iii Introduction ......................................................................................... v Chapter 1: Preparing the Cat ................................................................. 1 Before Dissection ............................................................................... 3 Opening Ventral Body Cavities ............................................................. 3 Chapter 2: Identifying Organs ................................................................ 5 Respiratory System ............................................................................ 7 Digestive System ............................................................................... 8 Urinary System ................................................................................. 9 Index ................................................................................................ 11

Chapter 1: Preparing the Cat

Introduction
Dissecting a cat can be a fun learning experience for any student. Physical dissection proves a great way to help a student understand anatomy and physiology by seeing it right before his or her own eyes. The choice of cats for dissection makes the most sense because their anatomy is so similar to a human that it allows students to make personal connections. This guide is for beginner anatomy and physiology students only. It covers only three basic organ systems and their functions. Before beginning dissection, take care to thoroughly read the directions provided below.

Chapter 1: Preparing the Cat

Chapter 1: Preparing the Cat

Chapter 1: Preparing the Cat

Chapter 1: Preparing the Cat

This chapter includes instructions on what to do before dissecting and how to open the ventral body cavities.

Before Dissection
1. 2. 3. 4. Put one pair of gloves on. Remove the cat from the sealed bag and place it in a dissection tray ventral side up. Set aside bag with preservatives. Identify the gender of your cat. Males have a scrotum and a prepuce, a small mound in which the penis is located. Females have an opening near the anus called the urogenital aperture. Both sexes have four to five nipples (teats). 5. Tie down arms and legs prior to dissection in order to have easy access to the body cavities.

Opening Ventral Body Cavities

1. At the diaphragm, make a horizontal incision. 2. Make a vertical incision downwards from the middle of the previous incision until you reach the base of the tail. 3. From the base of the tail, make a curved incision just above each thigh. 4. Make vertical incisions around the sternum. 5. Make a vertical incision from the top of the sternum, down the middle of the neck, until you reach the jaw bone. 6. Make two horizontal incisions across the jaw line and the base of the neck. 7. Bend the ribs outward to break them and allow the thoracic wall to lay flat. 8. Open the flaps to the neck and abdomen areas. These areas do not require any bone breaking and should remain open on their own as long as your incisions were made deep enough. 9. If you are confused as to how to make incisions then follow Figure 1.

Figure 1: Incisions for Opening Ventral Body Cavities

Chapter 2: Identifying Organs

Chapter 2: Identifying Organs

Chapter 2: Identifying Organs

Chapter 2: Indentifying Organs

This chapter contains information on the different organ systems in the cat and the organs in them.

Respiratory System
1. Identify the organs below with help from Figure 2 and learn their function in the cats body. - Lungs: The saclike organs occupying the chest cavity, functioning to remove carbon dioxide from the blood and provide it with oxygen. - Heart: Pumps blood to lungs. - Trachea: Sometimes called the windpipe, the trachea filters the air we breath. - Bronchi: Two air tubes that branch off the trachea and carry air directly to the lungs. - Diaphragm: When you breath in, the diaphragm contracts. This enlarges the space the lungs are in, allowing for air to come into the lungs.

Figure 2: Respiratory System

Cat Dissection: A Guide

Digestive System
1. Identify the organs below with help from Figure 3 and learn their function in the cats body. Mouth: The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system. It is where mastication (chewing) takes place, which is the start of food break down when eating. Pharynx: Tube where food travels to the esophagus. Esophagus: By means of contraction, called peristalsis, the esophagus transports food from the pharynx to the stomach. Stomach: The stomach begins the chemical break down of food by use of strong acids and enzymes. Small Intestine: A long tube that uses enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver to further break down food. Pancreas: Creates enzymes for use by the small intestine. Liver: Produces bile for use by the small intestine. Gallbladder: Stores bile until small intestine needs it. Large Intestine: Absorbs nutrients and carries leftover waste to anus. Anus: Secretes leftover waste after digestion is complete.

Figure 3: Digestive System

Chapter 2: Identifying Organs

Urinary System
1. Identify the organs below with help from Figure 4 and learn their function in the cats body. - Kidneys: Filter waste from blood and remove excess water. - Ureters: Connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder. - Urinary Bladder: Stores urine and is emptied during urination. - Urethra: The tube urine flows through from the urinary bladder during urination

Figure 4: Urinary System

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Cat Dissection: A Guide

Index
Anatomy: The study of the structure of animals and plants. Horizontal: Parallel to the ground Physiology: The study of the functions of animals and plants. Ventral: Situated on or toward to lower, abdominal plane of the body. Vertical: Perpendicular to the ground.