5th Grade Lab: Pig Heart Dissection

March 2015

The topic for this month’s lab is the long awaited Pig Heart Dissection!

Objectives:

To study the cardiovascular system of porcine (of or derived from pigs).

To develop dissection techniques.

To observe an organ system of a representative vertebrae.

Why dissect a pig’s heart?

Pigs and humans are vertebrates with similar organ systems. Although all of the internal organs are not the same in pigs and humans, it is helpful to learn about anatomy through dissection. We will be looking at the cardiovascular system of the pig and how it relates to our own anatomy.

The pig hearts that we will use in our lab are specimen that were obtained and preserved for the purpose of scientific discovery. Thesepigs gave their lives so that we can learn more about them and ourselves. In order to best use this opportunity to learn and show respect for the animal, we must follow all directions that are given to us and follow all safety procedures.

Dissection Safety Rules

  1. Conduct yourself in a responsible and safe manner at all times during the dissection, especially when handling sharp instruments.
  2. Prior to entering the lab, long hair MUST be secured in a bun or braid that will not fall forward when you lean over the lab bench.
  1. Safety goggles, disposable aprons, and gloves MUST be worn at all times.
  2. The pig heart has been preserved with a safe chemical and the classroom windows will be opened to allow fresh air in the room. However, if you need to take a break or the odor is beginning to bother you, notify the teacher. You will need to remove any contaminated clothing (i.e. gloves/apron) and wash hands thoroughly before stepping out into the hall.
  1. Avoid contact with preservative chemicals. Keep your hands covered with the plastic gloves at all times and avoid touching your face or any unnecessary surface.
  1. Use the proper techniques described in the procedure to dissect the pig heart. Do not dissect the heart while holding it off of the lab bench.
  1. Do not make extra pin pricks or scalpel cuts into the dissection pan liner.
  2. Handle the scalpel with extreme care. It is sharp enough to cut through skin.
  3. Always cut away from your body and away from others.
  4. Never remove specimen from the classroom. Properly dispose of dissected materials.
  5. Clean up the work area and return all equipment to the proper place when the dissection is completed.
  1. Place all waste materials in the proper receptacle at the end of the dissection.
  2. Carefully wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds in warm soapy before leaving the lab.

Dissecting Equipment:

Figure 1: Basic Dissecting ToolsFigure 2: Dissecting PinsFigure 3: Dissecting Pan

Figure 1 shows the dissection equipment you will use in this investigation.

Dissecting scissors and scalpels are used to cut through skin and tissue.

Forceps are used to lift and move cut tissue.

Figure 2 shows dissecting pins. Dissecting pins are used to hold the specimen in place in the dissecting tray. They are also used to hold back the skin and muscles so you can observe the internal structures.

Figure 3 shows a dissecting pan. The dissecting pan holds the pig heart as you dissect it. You may use the dissecting pins to secure the heart to the dissecting pan. At the end of the dissection, you will remove and discard the pins.

LAB DOS & DON’TS:

WE DO NOT LIKE TO GIVE OUT INFRACTIONS, BUT INFRACTIONS WILL BE ISSUED FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS. IF YOU NEED A REFRESHER AS TO WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU DURING LAB TIME, PLEASE REFER TO MRS. BORK’S EDLIO PAGE AND CLICK THE LINK FOR “LAB SAFETY: QUICK REFERENCE.”

You will NEED the following items for this lab:

  • SAFETY GOGGLES MUST BE WORN IN THE LAB
  • PRIOR TO ENTERING THE LAB: Long hair MUST be secured in a bun or braid, so that it does not hang forward when you are leaning over the lab bench.
  • YOU MUST ARRIVE ON TIME TO LAB TO BE PERMITTED TO PERFORM THIS DISSECTION!!!

We will provide the following materials for this lab:

  • Disposable gloves (USE CAUTION WHEN HANDLING MATERIALS CONSIDERED TO BE BIOHAZARDS OR THAT HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH CHEMICALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVATION.
  • A Disposable apron (to protect your clothing).
  • A dissection tray and liner
  • Dissection scissors and pins (WARNING: USE CAUTION WHEN HANDLING THESE SHARP INSTRUMENTS!!!)
  • A prepared pig heart. (For those of you who are squeamish about this experiment, please keep in mind you are working with laboratory quality product that no longer has a “blood pressure” so the chances of having any fluids squirt onto you are slim to none.)

You will NOT need the following items:

  • Food or drinks (including gum/mints and bottled water)
  • Loose fitting jackets/sweaters
  • Extra books, bags/purses, etc. EVERYTHING MUST BE LEFT IN YOUR 5TH GRADE CLASSROOM.