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.