Pig Dissection

Fetal Pig Dissection

On April 27 and 28, our biology class had the opportunity to do a 2-day fetal pig dissection. The dissection helped the class to visually and interactively study the organs. 

Before Dissection

DAY 1

For the first part, we dissected the lower part of the pig which mainly consists the digestive and reproductive organs. Here is the list of organs that we found:

1. Liver - produces bile(a substance needed to digest fats) , filters and processes blood as it circulates the body.

2. Gallbladder (behind the liver) - store and concentrate bile

3. Stomach- temporary storage of food and liquids, production of digestive juices, emptying the mixture into the small intestine

4. Spleen- acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system

5. Pancreas - secretes enzymes to small intestine to further break down food, produces the hormone insulin and glucagon to maintain the homeostasis of glucose levels.

6. Small Intestines- 90% of food digestion and absorption (nutrients and minerals).

7. Kidneys- extract waste from blood, form urine

8. Testis - the pig was a male after finding this scrotal sacs containing the testis which produces sperm and the hormone testosterone.

DAY 2
On the 2nd part of the dissection, we examined the upper part of the pig and we found these organs:

1. Heart- pumps blood through the body.

2. Lungs - bring oxygen to body and remove carbon dioxide

3. Trachea and Larynx- airways passages to the lungs

4. Thyroid - releases T3 and T4, hormones that are essential for body growth, metabolism and development.

For the last part, we attempted to examine the brain and the eyeball.

Cutting Skull

Brain- part of the central nervous system that controls the body, receives, analyzes and stores information.

Cutting Eyeball

Eyes- responsible for vision.

After Dissection

Additional Information:

Amniotic Fluid- clear, slightly yellowish fluid within the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby pig.