Lab: Heart Dissection
Heart Dissection Lab
This lab should be printed and the pre-lab portion completed by the start of lab
(Week 6: February 24th–28th)
Learning Objectives:
ü Identify the location and appearance of the four chambers (right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle) on the
external heart.
ü Identify the major blood vessels entering and leaving the heart (superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, aorta, pulmonary
artery, pulmonary veins).
ü Open the chambers of the heart and identify the internal structures like the tricuspid valve, bicuspid (mitral) valve,
pulmonary semilunar valves, and aortic semilunar valves.
ü Examine the muscular walls of each chamber, noting the thicker walls of the left ventricle compared to the right ventricle.
ü Observe the trabeculated tissue within the ventricles.
ü Trace the path of blood flow through the heart, including the systemic and pulmonary circuits.
ü Explain the role of the valves in ensuring unidirectional blood flow.
ü Compare and contrast the structure of a dissected heart (likely from a sheep or pig) to the human heart.
ü Demonstrate proper dissection techniques with care and precision.
ü Use appropriate tools and safety procedures during the dissection process.
Reminders:
q Lab Practical #1 is during week 7 (March 3rd–7th)
q Monday and Wednesday Labs – Presentations are during week 8 (March 10th – 14th)
Lab: Heart Dissection
Pre-Lab Por*on – Complete before coming to lab!
Review the anatomy of the heart labeling the structures below.
Lab: Heart Dissection
Lab Portion – This section will be completed during the lab!
Heart Dissection Instructions:
1. Look at the outside of the heart. Identify the auricles, ventricles and atria of the heart.
2. Remove fat from the vasculature on the superior side of the heart; remove enough to make each vessel
its own tube. Be careful of the arteries and veins but make sure you clean off each thoroughly.
3. Identify the following vasculature: Superior and Inferior Vena Cavas, Aorta, Pulmonary trunk or arteries,
and Pulmonary veins.
a. The Pulmonary trunk becomes the pulmonary arteries. Depending on where your heart was
removed from the animal, you will either see multiple Pulmonary arteries or one main artery which is
the Pulmonary trunk.
4. Look at posterior side of the heart and insert your probe into the superior vena cava through the right
atrium and into the right ventricle. Using your dissection scissors cut inferiorly along the superior vena
cava. Then use a scalpel to cut into the right atrium and right ventricle.
5. Open the heart along the cut with your fingers and identify the tricuspid valve between the atrium and
ventricle, the papillary muscles and chordae tendinae. Identify pectinate muscles in the atrium and
trabeculae carnae on the ventricle walls.
6. Find the pulmonary veins and insert your probe into the veins down into the left atrium and left ventricle.
Using scissors, cut along the pulmonary veins then use your scalpel and left atrium and ventricle. Find the
Lab: Heart Dissection
mitral or bicuspid valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. Identify papillary muscles and chordae
tendinae. Also identify pectinate muscles in the atrium and trabeculae carnae on the ventricle walls.
Find:
• Right auricle
• Left auricle
• Right atrium
• Left atrium
• Pectinate muscle
• Right ventricle
• Left ventricle
• Interventricular septum
• Tricuspid valve
• Bicuspid valve
• Papillary muscle
• Chordae tendonae
• Trabeculae carnae
• Aorta
• Superior and inferior vena cavas
• Pulmonary arteries and veins
Lab: Heart Dissection