Rat Dissection

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

Caudal

Toward the tail end

Pectoral

Chest and shoulder region

Pelvic

Relating to the hip region

Dermal

Relating to the skin

Longitudinal

Lengthwise

Cranial region

Head

Cervical region

Neck

Pectoral region

Area where front legs attach

Thoracic region

Chest area

Abdominal region

Belly

Pelvic region

Area where the back legs attach

Vibrissae

Hairy coat that covers the rat and the sensory hairs (whiskers) located on the rat's face

Incisors

Teeth that continue to grow for the rat's lifetime

Nictitating membrane

Membrane for eye protection

Pinna

External part of the ear

Teats

Female-specific structures on the ventral surface

Anus

Opening ventral to the base of the tail

Vaginal opening

Opening between the anus and urethra

Scrotal sacs

Sacs containing testes

Prepuce

Skin surrounding the penis

Kidneys

Organs for waste filtration

Adrenal glands

Glands associated with stress response

Renal Veins/Arteries

Blood vessels supplying the kidneys

Ureters

Tubes connecting kidneys to the bladder

Urinary bladder

Organ storing urine

Urethra

Tube carrying urine from the bladder

Testes

Male reproductive organs

Epididymis

Coiled tube storing sperm

Vas deferens

Tube moving sperm to the urethra

Seminal vesicle

Glands producing seminal fluid

Vagina

Female reproductive organ

Uterine horns

Extensions of the uterus

Ovaries

Female reproductive glands

Oviducts

Tubes connected to the uterine horns

Coelom

Body cavity containing internal organs

Liver

Organ aiding in digestion and waste transformation

Esophagus

Tube moving food to the stomach

Stomach

Organ for food digestion

Spleen

Organ associated with blood function

Pancreas

Gland producing digestive enzymes and insulin

Small intestine

Organ for nutrient absorption

Mesentery

Membrane holding the small intestine

Cecum

Pouch connecting large and small intestines

Large intestine

Organ for water absorption and digestion

Rectum

Terminal section storing feces

Soft/Hard Palates

Structures in the mouth aiding in swallowing

Salivary Glands

Glands producing saliva and enzymes

Trachea

Tube carrying air to the lungs

Larynx

Voice box allowing sound production

Bronchi

Tubes branching from the trachea to the lungs

Diaphragm

Muscle separating thoracic and abdominal cavities

Lungs

Organs for gas exchange

Arteries/Veins

Vessels carrying blood to and from the heart

Heart

Organ pumping blood throughout the body

Pericardium

Membrane encasing the heart

Atrium

Chambers receiving blood in the heart

Ventricles

Chambers pumping blood out of the heart