Fetal Pig Dissection 

Anatomical Terms

  • Anterior : Front
  • Posterior : Rear
  • Cephalic : Head
  • Caudal : Tail
  • Dorsal : Back
  • Ventral : Belly
  • Medial : Towards Midline
  • Lateral : Towards Side
  • Proximal : Towards the “root” of the limb
  • Distal : Away from the “root”

External Anatomy

  • %%Urogenital Opening (M)%% : Opening to the urethra. Located on the ventral side of umbilical cord.
  • %%Scrotal Swelling (M)%% : Palpable region between the leg indicating testicle location.
  • %%Urogenital Papillae (F)%% : Opening to Urogenital cavity. Contains clitoris.
  • %%Mammary Papillae (“Nipples”)%% : Suckling of Offspring (present, but non-functional in M).
  • %%Nares%%: Opening to the nasal cavity & resp. tract (air exchange)
  • %%Mouth%% : Opening to the anterior portion of the digestive tract (ingestion).
  • %%Anus%% : Sphincter muscle of posterior end of digestive tract (elimination).
  • %%Wrist%% : Distal compared to elbow on forelimb (locomotion).
  • %%Elbow%% : Proximal compared to wrist on forelimb (locomotion).
  • %%Knee%% : Proximal compared to ankle on rear limb (locomotion).
  • %%Ankle%% : Distal compared to knee on rear limb (locomotion).
  • %%Pinna%% : Outer ear (sound capture & protection).

Internal Body Cavities

  • ^^Cranial^^ : In head (holds brain).
  • ^^Oral^^ : In mouth.
  • ^^Nasal^^ : In nose.
  • ^^Thoracic^^ : Chest.
  • ^^Abdominopelvic^^ : Belly.

Organs (C.Cavity)

  • ==Brain== : Integration of Nervous System (Note: the evolutionary importance of cephalization).

Organs (O.Cavity)

  • @@Tongue@@ : Taste, Mastication & Swallowing (note the papillae).
  • @@Hard Palate@@ : Boney separation between N & O cavities/Swallowing.
  • @@Soft Palate@@ : Gives into lower portion of Nasal C. for bolus passage.
  • @@Teeth@@ : Mastication.
  • @@Epiglottis (in pharynx)@@ : Prevention for bolus passage into larynx.

Organs (T.Cavity)

  • Lungs : Exchange of gases with environment.
  • Heart : Pumping blood for circulation.
  • Esophagus : Passage of bolus.
  • Trachea : Passage of air/air filtration.
  • Larynx : Passage of air & sound generation.
  • Thyroid : Gland associated regulation of metabolism.
  • Thymus : Glands associated with immune function.
  • Diaphragm (ant. surface) : Muscle used for respiration & sound generation.

Organs (AP. Cavity)

  • %%Diaphragm (post. surface%%) : Muscle used for respiration & sound generation.
  • %%Stomach%% : Digestion.
  • %%Pancreas%% : Enzyme production for digestion/Glucose regulation.
  • %%Liver%% : Blood filtration & detoxification/ Bile production for digestion.
  • %%Gall Bladder%% : Bile concentrator for digestion.
  • %%Spleen%% : Immune function/ Blood reservoir.
  • %%Small Intestine%% : Digestion & nutrient absorption.
  • %%Mesentery%% : Network of Blood vessels associated with small intestine for absorption.
  • %%Large Intestine (Spiral Colon)%% : Digestion & water absorption.
  • %%Large Intestine (rectum)%% : Fecal storage prior to defecation.
  • %%Kidney%% : Blood filtration & urine production.
  • %%Ureter%% : Urine passage to urinary bladder.
  • %%Urinary Bladder%% : Holds Urine.
  • %%Urethra%% : Urine passage to outside world (F).
  • %%Ovaries%% : Egg & hormone production (F).
  • %%Fallopian tubes%% : Egg passage & place of fertilization (F).
  • %%Uterus%% : The Womb (F).
  • %%Vagina%% : Place of intercourse/Birth canal (F).
  • %%Urogenital cavity%% : Common tube that opens into the urethra & vagina (F).
  • %%Testicles%% : Sperm & hormone production (M).
  • %%Epididymis%% : Sperm maturation & storage.
  • %%Scrotum%% : Holds testicles.
  • %%Penis%% : Copulatory organ.

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