Fetal Pig Dissection 

Anatomical Terms

• $Anterior$$$Anterior$$ : Front

• $Posterior$$$Posterior$$ : Rear

• $Cephalic$$$Cephalic$$ : Head

• $Caudal$$$Caudal$$ : Tail

• $Dorsal$$$Dorsal$$ : Back

• $Ventral$$$Ventral$$ : Belly

• $Medial$$$Medial$$ : Towards Midline

• $Lateral$$$Lateral$$ : Towards Side

• $Proximal$$$Proximal$$ : Towards the “root” of the limb

• $Distal$$$Distal$$ : 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$$$Lungs$$ : Exchange of gases with environment.

• $Heart$$$Heart$$ : Pumping blood for circulation.

• $Esophagus$$$Esophagus$$ : Passage of bolus.

• $Trachea$$$Trachea$$ : Passage of air/air filtration.

• $Larynx$$$Larynx$$ : Passage of air & sound generation.

• $Thyroid$$$Thyroid$$ : Gland associated regulation of metabolism.

• $Thymus$$$Thymus$$ : Glands associated with immune function.

• $Diaphragm (ant. surface)$$$Diaphragm (ant. surface)$$ : 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.