Rat Dissection Flashcards

Flashcards on rat dissection for biology students, with a focus on anatomy and key terms.

Dorsal

Toward the back

Ventral

Toward the belly

Lateral

Toward the sides

Median

Near the middle

Anterior

Toward the head

Posterior

Toward the hind end (tail)

Superficial

On or near the surface

Deep

Some distance below the surface

Sagittal

Relating to the midplane, bisects the left and right sides

Transverse

Relating to the plane separating anterior and posterior

Horizontal

Relating to the plane separating dorsal and ventral

Proximal

Near to the point of reference

Distal

Far from the point

Caudal

Toward the tail end

Pectoral

Relating to the chest and shoulder region

Pelvic

Relating to the hip region

Dermal

Relating to the skin

Longitudinal

Lengthwise

Abdominal Cavity

Related to the area below (posterior) the ribcage

Thoracic Cavity

Related to the area above (anterior) the ribcage

Cranial region

Head region

Cervical region

Neck region

Pectoral region

Area where front legs attach

Thoracic region

Chest area

Abdomen

Belly

Pelvic region

Area where the back legs attach

Vibrissae

Sensory hairs (whiskers) located on the rat's face

Nictitating membrane

Membrane that can be drawn across the eye for protection

Pinna

External part of the ear

Biceps brachii

Located on the anterior surface of the humerus

Triceps brachii

Located on the sides and back of the upper arm

Spinotrapezius

Located across the dorsal thoracic region of the rat

Latissimus dorsi

Located posterior (and partially covered) by the spinotrapezius

Biceps femoris

Located on the side of the thigh, in two bundles

Tibialis Anterior

Located on the front of the leg

Gastrocnemius

Located on lower leg, bulk of the calf muscle

External Oblique

Located on the sides of the abdomen

Gluteus Maximus

Located on the lower back and rear

Pectoralis Major/Minor

Located in chest

Salivary glands

Soft spongy tissue that secrete saliva and amylase

Lymph glands

Circular glands that lie anterior to the salivary glands

Trachea

Identifiable by its ringed cartilage which provides support

Larynx

Voice box

Diaphragm

Layer of muscle that separates the thoracic from the abdominal cavity

Pericardium

Thin membrane that covers the heart

Thymus gland

Functions in the development of the immune system

Lungs

Spongy organs that lie on either side of the heart

Coelom

Body cavity within which the viscera (internal organs) are located

Peritoneum

Thin membrane that covers the organs of the abdominal cavity

Liver

Dark colored organ suspended just under the diaphragm

Esophagus

Moves food from the mouth to the stomach

Stomach

Functions include food storage, physical breakdown of food, and the digestion of protein

Cardiac sphincter

The opening between the esophagus and the stomach

Pyloric sphincter

The opening between the stomach and the intestine

Spleen

Attached to the greater curvature of the stomach and functions in the destruction of blood cells and blood storage

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes that are sent to the intestine via small ducts and secretes insulin

Small intestine

Slender coiled tube that receives partially digested food from the stomach

Mesentery

Membrane that holds the coils of the small intestine together

Colon (large intestine)

Large greenish tube that extends from the small intestine and leads to the anus

Cecum

Large sac where the small and large intestine meet

Rectum

Short, terminal section of the colon that leads to the anus

Pulmonary circulation

Carries blood through the lungs for oxygenation and then back to the heart

Systemic circulation

Moves blood through the body after it has left the heart

Left and right superior vena cava

Conduct blood from the upper part of the body into the right atrium

Inferior vena cava

Carries blood from the lower part of the body to the right atrium

Excretory system

Removes wastes

Reproductive system

Produces gametes (sperm & eggs) and provides an environment for the developing embryo

Kidneys

Primary organs of the excretory system; large bean shaped structures located toward the back of the abdominal cavity

Ureters

Attach to the kidney and lead to the bladder

Urethra

Carries urine from the bladder to the urethral orifice

Adrenal glands

Small yellowish glands embedded in the fat atop the kidneys

Testes

Located in the scrotal sac

Epididymis

Coiled tube on the surface of the testis that collects and stores sperm cells

Vas deferens

Moves sperm from the epididymis to the urethra

Seminal vesicles

Lumpy brown glands located to the left and right of the urinary bladder

Prostate gland

Gland below the bladder that is partially wrapped around the penis

Vagina

Short gray tube lying dorsal to the urinary bladder

Duplex uterus

Divide into two uterine horns that extend toward the kidneys

Ovaries

Small lumpy glands at the tips of the uterine horns

Oviducts

Connect the ovaries to the uterine horns