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Dissecting tools will be used to open the body cavity of the rat and observe the structures. Keep in mind that dissecting does not mean "to cut up"; in fact, it means, "to expose to view". Careful dissecting techniques will be needed to observe all the structures and their connections to other structures.
Step 1: Body Regions. Step 2: External Features. Step 3: Expose the Muscles. Step 4: Expose the Bones. Step 5: Head & Neck. Step 6: Thoracic & Abdomen. Step 7: Urogenital System. Rat Dissection Photo Gallery. This is a walk-through of the rat dissection with photos showing the key features of the rat.
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- INTRODUCTION
- EXTERNAL FEATURES
- Urethral orifice Vaginal orifice
- Male urogenital structures
- Skinning the rat
- MUSCULAR SYSTEM
- Head and Throat muscles
- Chest and Front leg (medial) muscles
- Shoulder and Lateral (outside) Muscles of the Front Leg
- Deep Muscles of the Shoulder
- Hip and Lateral Muscles of the Hind Leg
- Hip and Medial Muscles of the Hind Leg
- Abdominal Muscles
- Throat and Oral Cavity
- The Abdominal Cavity and the Digestive System
- Respiratory System
- The Circulatory System
- MAJOR ARTERIES
- MAJOR VEINS
- Anterior Vena Cava.
- FEMALE URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES
- MALE URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES
- The Mammal Skeleton
Rats are often used in dissection classes because they are readily available and they possess the typical mammalian body plan. Most of what you learn on the rat is applicable to the anatomy of other mammals, such as humans.
Refer to the drawing below and identify the indicated structure on the rat prior to skinning. Vibrissae - also referred to as the "whiskers". They have a sensory function that allows the animal to judge the size of an opening that it is about to pass through. Nares - the nares (plural) or naris (singular) are the external openings into the nasal c...
is the opening into the urethra (part of the urinary system). is the opening into the vagina (part of the reproductive system).
Penis - is hidden on the male rat beneath a fold of skin (the foreskin or prepuce). Scrotum - is a pouch that contains the testes (see the drawing below)
Make a midventral incision as illustrated on the drawing above. Use your probe, scissors and finger to free the skin from the underlying tissue. Follow the basic cut pattern illustrated on the first page of this handout. You should encounter two brownish muscles attached to the skin (the cutaneous maximus in the trunk area, and the platysma i...
The diagram below illustrates the muscles of the ventral surface of the rat. Be able to identify those listed. Use the photographs on the following pages and your lab atlas to assist you.
Digastric - this V shaped muscle follows the lower jaw line. It functions to open the mouth. Mylohyoid - runs at right angles to the longitudinal axis. You may have to gently raise up the edge of the digastric muscle on each side of the jaw in order to see this muscle. It functions to raise the floor of the mouth. Sternohyoid - runs parallel to...
Pectoralis Major - the large triangular muscle covering the upper thorax. It functions to pull the arm towards the chest. Pectoralis Minor - part of this muscle runs beneath the Pectoralis Major. It function is the same as the Pectoralis Major. Biceps Brachii - the large muscle located on inside of the upper arm. It functions to flex (bend) the ...
Be able to identify the muscles illustrated on the drawing on the next page. Clavotrapezius - one of a group of three muscles that help to stabilize the scapula. Its function is to pull the clavicle forward. Acromiotrapezius - pulls the scapula forward. Spinotrapezius - pulls the scapula downward. Latissimus dorsi - pulls the arm downward. Serrat...
Identify the deep muscles illustrated on the drawing above. Rhomboideus - runs between the dorsal border of the scapula and vertebral column. Its function is to pull the scapula in and forward. Supraspinatus - covers the lateral side of the scapula, above the scapular spine and attaches to the upper arm. Its function is to pull the upper arm for...
Identify the muscles illustrated on the drawing below. Gluteus Superficialis - covers a large portion of the anterior hip. Its function is to pull the thigh outward. Biceps Femoris - located posterior to the Gluteus. Its function is to pull the upper leg outward and flex the lower leg. Semitendinosus - it is located on the posterior margin of th...
Be able to identify the following muscles illustrated on the drawing on page 3 of this handout. Gracilis - a flat muscle on the caudal (near the tail) portion of the inner thigh. Its function is to pull the thigh inward. Rectus femoris - located on the anterior (front) surface of the thigh. Its function is to extend the lower hind leg. Vastus med...
Be able to identify the following muscles illustrated on the drawing on page 3 of this handout. External Oblique - covers most of the ventral and lateral abdomen. Its function to compress and hold the internal organs in place. Rectus Abdominis - runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body on either side of the linea alba. Its function is...
Be able to identify the structures illustrated on the drawing below. The structures indicated are components of a variety of organ system. Parotid Gland - the major salivary gland. Its function is to secrete saliva containing starch digesting enzymes. Parotid duct - empties saliva from the Parotid Gland into the oral cavity. Mandibular gland - a ...
Be able to identify the structures illustrated on the drawing below. Dissection - use scissors to make a midventral cut up the entire length of the abdominal cavity. When you reach the diaphragm (a broad sheet of muscle that separates the thorax from the abdomen) make lateral cuts along the lower border of the rib cage. Parietal Peritoneum - a...
Be able to identify the structures illustrated on the drawing below. Trachea - air tube with conspicuous rings. Gently move the contents of the thorax around until it can be found. Bronchus - the trachea divides into a left and right bronchus. Gently move the contents of the thorax around until they can be found. Like the trachea they have...
Be able to identify any of the blood vessels illustrated on the drawing above and below that you can find without cutting any internal organs out of your specimen. Heart - sits in the space between the left and right lungs. Portions of the right and left atria can be seen as dark flaps on top of the heart. The two anterior vessels and one poster...
Aorta - is the major artery shown exiting the top of the heart and forming an arch that bends to the left. It empties the left ventricle and supplies oxygenated blood to the entire body. Brachiocephalic Artery - is the first artery to branch off of the Aorta. It supplies blood to the head and right arm. This artery splits to from the Right Subcl...
Subclavian Vein - as it returns blood from the arm in connects with the Lateral Thoracic Vein, External Iliac Vein, and, Internal Iliac Vein to form the
Anterior Vena Cava - enters the right atrium on the dorsal side of the heart. External Iliac Vein - runs parallel to the External Iliac Artery. Internal Iliac Vein - runs parallel to the Internal Iliac Artery. Posterior Vena Cava - formed when the right and left Common Iliac Veins unite. It empties into the right Atrium. The Renal Artery and Ilio...
Be able to identify the structures illustrated on the drawing of the Female Urogenital System below. Kidney - can be found close to the dorsal wall of the abdomen surrounded by fat. Ureter - is a whitish tube extending from each kidney and running to the Urinary Bladder where urine is stored. Ovary - is a small nodular gland often found buried in f...
Be able to identify the structures illustrated on the drawing below. Testis - open the scrotum and gently extract a testis. Be careful to leave it attached to the Ductus Deferens. Epididymis - is a highly coiled tube attached to the surface of the testis. It store sperm until it has time to mature. Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens) - is a tube t...
The drawing below illustrates the bones of the rat skeleton. In lab we will learn these same bones on a CAT and a MONKEY skeleton. Be able to identify the bones indicated below on these skeletons.
Keep the tip of your dissection tool pointed upwards. Note: when you cut through the Figure 1. thoracic cavity, you will encounter bone; cut through this carefully. Once the incisions have been made, pin all skin flaps to the side of the rat to better visualize the internal organs. 3.
Virtual Rat Dissection - You may use this website with pictures and video in the place of doing the actual dissection in person. You are still responsible for doing the same learning as everyone else, filling out the same packet, and taking a test at the end. Basic Muscle Groups - Surface, Lateral View. Skeleton. Rat Dissection Video - Part 1.
External jugular Internal jugular Lateral thoracic Vertebral Anterior vena cava Intercostal Posterior vena cava Renal Right gonadal Common iliac External iliac
chapter will describe ‘tips and tricks’ including practical advice and recommendations. Rat Anatomy and Dissection Guide Bruce D. Wingerd,2008 A Dissection Guide & Atlas to the Rat David G. Smith,Michael P. Schenk,2001 This book is designed to provide a
