Rabbit Dissection Functions

pectoralis tenuis

flexes the arm

pectoralis major

flexes and adducts the arm

latissimus dorsi

extends and adducts the arm

triceps brachii long head

extends the forearm and extends the arm

biceps brachii

flexes the forearm

triceps brachii lateral head

extends the forearm

supraspinatus

abducts the arm

infraspinatus

laterally rotates the arm (i)

teres minor

laterally rotates the arm (tm)

subscapularis

medially rotates the arm

external abdominal oblique

compresses the abdomen and rotates the trunk

internal abdominal oblique

compresses the abdomen and flexes the trunk

rectus abdominis

flexes the trunk and compresses the abdomen

transverse abdominis

compresses the abdomen

biceps femoris

flexes the knee and extends the thigh (b)

semimembranosus

flexes the knee and extends the thigh (sm)

semitendinosus

flexes the knee and extends the thigh (st)

rectus femoris

extends the knee and flexes the thigh

vastus intermedius

extends the knee (vi)

vastus lateralis

extends the knee (vl)

vastus medialis

extends the knee (vm)

gluteus maximus

extends the thigh

gluteus medius

abducts the thigh and stabilizes the pelvis

soleus

plantar flexes the ankle

gastrocnemius

plantar flexes the ankle and flexes the knee

parietal pericardium

protects and surrounds the heart

visceral pericardium

covers and protects the heart surface

common carotid artery

carries oxygenated blood to the head

external jugular vein

returns deoxygenated blood from the head

brachiocephalic artery

carries oxygenated blood to the head and forelimbs

subclavian artery

carries oxygenated blood to the forelimbs

caudal vena cava

returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart

abdominal aorta

carries oxygenated blood to the abdominal organs and lower body

hard palate

separates mouth and nose and helps push food for swallowing

soft palate

closes nasal passage during swallowing

lingual frenulum

anchors tongue and limits tongue movement

parietal peritoneum

lines and protects the abdominal cavity walls

visceral peritoneum

covers and protects abdominal organs

liver

produces bile and processes nutrients

falciform ligament

attaches liver to abdominal wall and supports it

gallbladder

stores and releases bile for fat digestion

parotid gland

produces saliva to start carbohydrate digestion

submandibular gland

produces saliva to help lubricate food for swallowing

greater omentum

cushions and protects abdominal organs

lesser omentum

connects stomach and liver and supports them

esophagus

moves food from mouth to stomach

esophageal sphincter

controls food entry into stomach and prevents backflow

stomach

breaks down food using acid and enzymes and turns it into chyme

pyloric sphincter

controls release of food from stomach into small intestine

rugae

allow stomach to expand when filled with food

mesentery

holds intestines in place and carries blood and nutrients

cecum

starts large intestine and receives material from small intestine

duodenum

receives chyme and continues chemical digestion

ileum

absorbs nutrients from digested food

large intestine

absorbs water and forms solid waste

villi

increase surface area to absorb nutrients efficiently

trachea

carries air to and from the lungs

larynx

produces sound and protects airway during swallowing

larynx thyroid and cricoid cartilage

supports airway and keeps larynx open

right and left primary bronchi

carry air from trachea into each lung

diaphragm

contracts to pull air into lungs and relaxes to push air out

left lung

exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide with blood in cranial and caudal lobes

right lung

exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide with blood in accessory cranial and caudal lobes separated by oblique fissure

bronchi branches

distribute air deeper into lungs for gas exchange

epiglottis

closes airway during swallowing to prevent food entry

glottis

controls airflow through the voice box opening

thyroid gland

controls body energy use and metabolism by releasing hormones

thymus

trains immune cells to recognize and attack infections

adrenal glands

release stress hormones that help body react to danger

pancreas

controls blood sugar by releasing insulin and glucagon

spleen

filters blood and removes old red blood cells while helping fight infection

kidney

filters blood and removes waste by producing urine

cortex

filters blood to start urine formation

medulla

concentrates urine and moves it toward collection area

renal pelvis

collects urine and funnels it into the ureter

urinary bladder

stores urine until it is ready to leave the body

ureter

carries urine from kidney to bladder

urinary rugae

allows bladder to expand as it fills with urine

scrotum

keeps testes at proper temperature for sperm production

testis

produces sperm and testosterone

cremaster muscle

raises and lowers testes to control temperature

epididymis

stores and matures sperm before release

vas deferens

carries sperm from epididymis toward urethra

glans penis

sensitive tip that helps with reproduction and sensation

spermatic cord

supports testes and carries vessels and ducts

inguinal canal

passageway that allows structures to travel to reproductive area

uterus

supports and nourishes developing embryo during pregnancy

uterine horns

extend uterus area to hold and support embryos

ovary

produces eggs and releases reproductive hormones

fimbriae

sweep released egg into uterine tube

uterine tubes

carry egg toward uterus and site of fertilization

vagina

receives sperm and serves as birth canal and exit passage

urogenital opening

external opening for release of urine and reproductive fluids

sciatic nerve

carries signals for movement and sensation from lower body to brain and spinal cord

sutures

hold skull bones tightly together and prevent movement

gomphoses

anchor teeth securely into jaw sockets

syndesmoses

connect bones with ligaments and allow slight movement for stability

hinge joint

allows bending and straightening movement in one direction

plane joint

allows bones to slide over each other for small gliding movements

ball and socket joint

allows movement in all directions including rotation