Dissection Review: Heart, Kidney, Brain, Eye, and Fetal Pig

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the anatomy of the heart, kidney, brain, eye, and fetal pig systems as discussed in the lecture notes.

Vena Cava

Blood vessels of the heart consisting of the Superior (easily seen) and Inferior (hard to find) portions.

Tricuspid and Bicuspid (Mitral Valve)

The heart valves located specifically between the Atria and the Ventricles.

Aortic and Pulmonary Valves

The heart valves located specifically between the ventricles and the arteries.

Septum

The wall-like structure that separates the right and left sides of the heart.

Nephrons

Microscopic functional units of the kidney that filter blood; they cannot be seen during a macroscopic dissection.

Meninges

The protective layers surrounding the brain.

Longitudinal fissure

The deep groove that separates the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Gyrus vs. Sulcus

The ridges (gyrus) versus the grooves (sulcus) found on the surface of the brain.

Midbrain

Part of the brain stem containing the optic and auditory lobes, also known as the Superior Colliculi and inferior colliculi.

Optic chiasma

The X-shaped structure where the optic nerves cross.

Optic disc

The blind spot of the eye where the optic nerve attaches.

Tapetum

A reflective layer found inside the back (dorsal) part of the eye.

Aqueous humor vs. Vitreous humor

The fluid in the front (anterior) of the eye versus the fluid in the back (dorsal) of the eye.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine where the pancreas and gallbladder ducts connect.

Cecum

The structure in the fetal pig digestive system corresponding to the Appendix.

Epiglottis

A tissue flap in the pharynx area that prevents food from entering the trachea.

Pericardium

The protective sac or membrane surrounding the heart inside the fetal pig.

Urogenital opening

An excretory structure that must be identified on both male and female fetal pigs.

Diaphragm

A respiratory structure with a specific location, structure, and function involved in breathing.

Mesentery

Thin, connective tissue that holds the small intestine in place.

Corpus callosum

A specific location in the brain responsible for connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.