Dissection of the Sheep’s Heart and Fetal Pig’s Cardiovascular System
Comparative Anatomy of Fetal Pig Heart and Sheep’s Heart
The key structural differences between a sheep’s heart and a fetal pig’s heart are the latter’s size and form. The fetal pig’s heart is smaller, more rounded than the sheep’s one, and more prominent and elongated (WilsonAandP, 2021).
Anatomy and Function of the Heart Valves
The mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle, while the tricuspid valve is between the right atrium and right ventricle. The pulmonary valve is between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, and the aortic valve is between the left ventricle and the aorta. The valves control blood flow by opening and shutting in reaction to pressure changes.
Left vs. Right Side of the Heart: A Comparative Analysis
Different activities take place on the left and right sides of the heart. While the left side circulates oxygenated blood throughout the body, the right side pumps blood that lacks oxygen to the lungs (WilsonAandP, 2021).
Structure Comparison: Atrioventricular Valves vs. Semilunar Valves
The cusps that make up the tricuspid, mitral, and atrioventricular valves are tissue flaps that open and close in response to pressure changes. Three cusps comprise the pulmonary and aortic semilunar valves, stopping blood from flowing backward.
Papillary Muscles: Appearance and Function
The heart’s small, conical papillary muscles connect to the atrioventricular valves’ cusps through chordae tendineae.
Blood Flow Pathway: From Right Atrium to Vena Cava
Blood enters the right atrium of the heart by the superior and inferior vena cava, travels through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle, and then exits the heart through the pulmonary valve to reach the lungs. Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins, travels through the mitral valve into the left ventricle and is pumped into the aorta via the aortic valve.
Dissection of the Respiratory System of a Fetal Pig
Structural Comparison: Trachea vs. Esophagus
The cartilage rings that make up the trachea contribute to keeping it open. It is lined with mucus-secreting cells and epithelium, which trap dust and assist in removing it from the respiratory system (Cronin’s Videos, 2021). A muscular tube called the esophagus, on the other hand, transports food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. Its interior is lined with non-ciliated epithelium and is not supported by cartilage rings.
Functionality of Respiratory Structures: Trachea, Bronchi, and Lungs
The respiratory system comprises the lungs, bronchi, and trachea, which cooperate to allow for gas exchange. Air enters and exits the lungs through the trachea and bronchi, and millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli allow for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Texture and Characteristics of the Lungs
The interior structure of the lungs, which is composed of air sacs called alveoli, gives them a spongy feel. These capillary-encircled air sacs carry out the exchange of gases between the air and the blood. Although their structures are similar, the left and right lungs differ in size and form. The right lung is more extensive and has three lobes, whereas the left is smaller and has two.
Dissection of the Kidneys and Urinary System of a Fetal Pig
Comparative Structure of Fetal Pig and Sheep Kidneys
There are many structural similarities between fetal pig and sheep kidneys, including their bean-shaped structure and composition of an inner medulla and an outer cortex. Fetal pig kidneys, on the other hand, are smaller than sheep kidneys (Roth, 2021). As no renal pyramids are visible on the surface of sheep kidneys, the surface of fetal pig kidneys is smoother than that of sheep kidneys.
Location and Orientation of Fetal Pig Kidneys
In the abdominal cavity of fetal pigs, one kidney is located on each side of the spine. The lower ribs protect them, and connective tissue holds them in place.
Urine Pathway: From Kidney to Exit
Through the renal pelvis, urine exits the kidneys and moves through the ureters to the bladder. When urine reaches the bladder, it is kept until the body is ready to discharge it. The urethra at the bladder’s base allows the urine to exit the body through the urethral aperture. The urinary sphincter, which manages the urine flow out of the urethra, controls the process of urine leaving the body.
Components of the Endocrine System of a Fetal Pig
Endocrine Organs in the Throat Region: Functions and Appearances
In the throat’s area are endocrine glands called the thyroid and parathyroid. While the parathyroid glands create hormones that aid in controlling the body’s calcium levels, the thyroid gland releases hormones that regulate metabolism (Cronin’sVideos, 2021). The parathyroid glands are small and generally found behind the thyroid gland, which is situated in the front of the neck.
Endocrine Organs in the Abdominal and Pelvic Cavities
In the abdominal or pelvic cavity are endocrine organs such as the gonads, pancreas, and adrenal glands. Hormones produced by the adrenal glands aid in controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and stress levels (Cronin’s Videos, 2021). In addition to producing enzymes that help digestion, the pancreas also generates hormones controlling blood sugar levels. The hormones produced by the gonads, which are the ovaries in females and the testes in males, play a part in developing secondary sexual traits and reproductive functions.
Dissection of the Digestive System of a Fetal Pig
Significant Digestive Organs: Structure and Characteristics
The mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine are the main digestive organs of pigs and sheep. The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food to the stomach (Cronin’s Videos, 2021). The muscular pouch, known as the stomach, blends and grinds food using stomach acid and enzymes.
Most meal nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, separated into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The large intestine is in charge of holding wastes and absorbing electrolytes and water. The rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum are the four compartments of the stomach in sheep, whereas there is just one compartment in the stomach of pigs.
Accessory Digestive Organs: Structure and Characteristics
The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are some of the auxiliary digestive organs. Bile is created by the liver and discharged into the small intestine to help digestion after being stored in the gallbladder (Cronin’s Videos, 2021). Enzymes produced by the pancreas help digest proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in the small intestine. The gallbladder is a little, greenish sac underneath the liver, while the liver is a big, reddish-brown organ in the belly. Behind the stomach is a long, thin gland called the pancreas.
References
Cronin’s Videos. (2021). Fetal pig dissection. YouTube. Web.
Roth, M. (2021). Sheep kidney dissection. YouTube. Web.
WilsonAandP. (2021). Sheep heart dissection. YouTube. Web.