Rat Dissection
Rat Dissection
Rat Dissection
Biology 11
Purpose: to investigate the internal and external structure of a chordate!
Name:
Materials:
Rat specimen
Dissecting tray
Dissecting kit
Method:
1. Name your rat! Templeton
Part 1: External Anatomy
1. Obtained your rat and observe the general characteristics. Key terms are
highlighted in grey. The rat's body is divided into six anatomical
regions: cranial region - head cervical region - neck pectoral region area where front legs attach thoracic region - chest area abdomen - belly
pelvic region - area where the back legs attach.
2. Note the hairy coat that covers the rat and the sensory hairs (whiskers)
located on the rat's face, called vibrissae.
3. The mouth has a large cleft in the upper lip which exposes large front
incisors. Rats are gnawing mammals, and these incisors will continue to
grow for as long as the rat lives.
4. Note the eyes with the large pupil and the nictitating membrane found
at the inside corner of the eye. This membrane can be drawn across the
eye for protection. The eyelids are similar to those found in humans.
5. The ears are composed of the external part, called the pinna, and the
auditory meatus, the ear canal.
6. Locate the teats on the ventral surface of the rat. Check a rat of another
sex and determine whether both sexes have teats.
7. Examine the tail, the tails of rats do not have hair. Though some rodents,
like gerbils, have hair on their tails.
8. Locate the anus, which is ventral to the base of the tale.
9. Determine whether your rat is male or female by looking near the tail for
the male or female genital organs.
Part 2: Skinning the Rat
1. You will carefully remove the skin of the rat to expose the muscles below.
This task is best accomplished by making a small incision with your
scalpel and the using your probe to separate the connective tissues that
connects the skin to the first layer of muscles. Do not cut into the
muscles!
2. You can start at the incision point where the latex was injected and
continue toward the tail. Use the lines on the diagram to cut a similar
pattern, avoiding the genital area. Gently peel the skin from the muscles,
using scissors and a probe to tease away muscles that stick to the skin.
3. Identify the following muscles:
a. Biceps brachii - located on the anterior surface of the humerus
(arm). Action: flexes lower arm
Edited from: Rat Dissection John R. Sowash | May 2009 | Permission to redistribute granted
2. Locate the diaphragm, which is a thin layer of muscle that separates the
thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm is a helpful
directional marker.
3. DO NOT REMOVE OR CUT THE HEART! The heart is centrally located
in the thoracic cavity. The two dark colored chambers at the top are the
atria (single: atrium), and the bottom chambers are the ventricles. The
heart is covered by a thin membrane called the pericardium. (We will
Liver
come back to the heart later.)
(many lobes)
Stomach
Sple
en
Inferior
Vena Cava
Small
Intestine
Large
Intestine
Secum
Small
Intestine
Mesentery
5. The spleen is about the same color as the liver and is attached to the
greater curvature of the stomach. It is shaped like a banana and is
associated with the circulatory system and functions in the destruction of
blood cells and blood storage. A person can live without a spleen, but
they're more likely to get sick as it helps the immune system function.
6. The pancreas is not a clearly identifiable organ but a thin membrane that
overlays the stomach and spleen. The pancreas produces digestive
enzymes that are sent to the intestine via small ducts (the pancreatic
duct). The pancreas also secretes insulin which is important in the
regulation of glucose metabolism. Find the pancreas by looking for a thin,
membrane looking structure that has the consistency of cottage cheese.
7. The small intestine is a slender coiled tube that receives partially
digested food from the stomach (via the pyloric sphincter). The term
small refers to its diameter, not its length. It consists of three sections:
duodenum, ileum, and jejunum. The small intestine leads to the cecum.
8. The cecum is a pouch that connects the large and small intestines. Food
is temporarily stored in the cecum while helpful bacteria digest the
cellulose found in plant cells. Most herbivores such as the rat have a large
cecum. Humans and other omnivores and carnivores have a much smaller
cecum which is referred to as the appendix.
9. Use your scissors to cut the mesentery (connective tissue and network of
blood vessels that connects the small intestine) of the small intestine, but
do not remove the small intestine from its attachment to the stomach and
rectum. If you are careful you will be able to stretch it out and untangle it
so that you can see the relative lengths of the large and the small
intestine.
10. Locate the large intestine, which is the large greenish tube that
extends from the small intestine and leads to the anus. The large intestine
is also known as the colon. This is where the finals stages of digestion
and water absorption occurs and it contains a variety of bacteria to aid in
digestion.
11. Locate the rectum - the short, terminal section of the colon between
the descending colon and the anus. The rectum temporarily stores feces
before they are expelled from the body.
Edited from: Rat Dissection John R. Sowash | May 2009 | Permission to redistribute granted
Edited from: Rat Dissection John R. Sowash | May 2009 | Permission to redistribute granted
Edited from: Rat Dissection John R. Sowash | May 2009 | Permission to redistribute granted
5. Identify the aorta, left and right atrium, and left and right ventricle.
Carefully insert your probe into these opening and work it into the center
of the heart.
6. Finally, make an incision between the left and right ventricles with your
scalpel. Try to locate the bicuspid and semilunar valves which open and
close the ventricles.
Analysis:
1. These are the structures that you are expected to identify. Check each
one off as you identify it.
Digestive System
Muscular System
Liver
Biceps brachii (arm)
Esophagus
Biceps femoris (leg)
Stomach
Small intestine
Pectoralis Major/Minor
Large intestine
Skeletal System
Tibia
Excretory/Reproductive System
Kidneys
Fibula
Femur
Ulna
Radius
Humerous
Thoracic Cavity
Heart
Lungs
Edited from: Rat Dissection John R. Sowash | May 2009 | Permission to redistribute granted
Diaphragm
Trachea
Aortic arch
Circulatory System
Vena Cava
Right/Left subclavian
Right/Left femoral
Renal Artery
Edited from: Rat Dissection John R. Sowash | May 2009 | Permission to redistribute granted
2. The sphincter is a circular muscle. Why is it this shape and what does it
do?
Its shaped this way so fluids/ feces can easily pass. The job of the
sphincter is to close off a passage by contracting. Its found in the
4. The liver is the largest organ in the body (after the skin), what are its
functions?
5. The liver detoxifies various metabolites, does protein synthesis, assists in
the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion
6. In each of the cavities there is a membrane that covers both the wall of
the cavity and the organ it contains, what is the function of these
membranes?
To hold organs in place.
7. What is the function of the spleen?
It removes dead red blood cells
8. What is the function of the diaphragm?
To assist the lungs in expanding and compressing
9. What distinguishes the atria from the ventricles?
Its the largest and carries the most blood
10. Why is the wall of the left ventricle of the heart thicker than that of the
right?
It has to pump the blood around the entire body instead of just to
11.
the lungs
What similarities exist between the male and female reproductive
systems?
They are both connected to the excretory system
12. What do the kidneys do?
Removes nutrients from the excretory system.
Reabsorbs water
Creates and dilutes uric acid