Examining the Systems of the Fetal Pig

Introduction: Dissections have provided, and do provide, scientists with an understanding of the anatomy of many animals- including humans. In this lab, the dissection of a fetal pig provided the class with a unique opportunity to examine the internal and external features of a mammal that very closely resembles a human. The organs of a pig resemble the organs of humans very closely, so this dissection provided those involved with a good idea of how the organs of a human look and interact. Since pigs, like humans, are placental mammals, they are held until birth in their mothers uterus and are nourished by a specialized organ attached to the uterus wall, known as the placenta. Once the pigs are born, they eat both plants and meat, which makes them omnivores- like humans. The purpose of this dissection was to obtain an in-depth, experimental understanding of how the internal systems of animals interact and are arranged inside the body. It was predicted that a new understanding of internal organs would be obtained through measurements and observations of the internal organs. To complete the dissection, a proper understanding of several terms was needed. The dorsal- back- side of the fetal pig was needed to be found, as well as the ventral- frontside. Cranial/ anterior cuts- towards the head- and caudal/ posterior cuts- towards the tailwere made. Proximal- closer to the middle- locations as well as distal- closer to the digitsand lateral- towards the sides- locations were found. In order to safely perform the fetal pig dissection, several safety precautions were needed to be taken: lab tools were to be cleaned, dried and returned at the end of class; the lab equipment was to be shown to the teacher before returning it to the cart; gloves and safety goggles were to be worn when near the dissection areas; dissection tools were to be handled carefully; each group was responsible for their own scalpel; and the washing of hands and work areas was to be done once completed. The dissection of a fetal pig will help deepen the understanding of internal systems by giving each student a basic hands-on look at what human internal systems look like, where they are placed, and how they work. Materials: Scalpel One fetal pig Wool / string Dissecting tray Safety goggles Plastic bag Soap Forceps - Blunt probe - Teasing needle (probe) - Dissecting pins - Dissection scissors - Lab coat / apron - Latex gloves - Paper towels - Ruler

To ensure the safest use of each material, each group was responsible for their own scalpel. When using the scalpel, it was important to not cut towards oneself or others. The scalpel was expected to be wrapped in paper towel before being put away each day. Each student was required to wear a pair of safety goggles and the use of latex gloves was recommended. When using the dissecting tools, it was important to be mature and cautious so as to not injure oneself or others.

Procedure: Each group was responsible for collecting a dissecting tray as well as their own scalpel, scissors, forceps, probe, blunt probe and string. A pig was then obtained from the teacher and was gently rinsed in running water a sink. It was then dabbed dry with paper towels and placed on the dissecting tray. The external features of the pig were examined and two features were located- the umbilical cord on the ventral surface, and the anus under the tail Each group was then required to practice using the terms dorsal, ventral, cranial, anterior, caudal, posterior, proximal and distal. Once groups were familiar with the external features of their pig, diagrams of the external features- one ventral and one lateral view- were to be made and labeled. The length of the fetal pig, from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, was then measured using string and a ruler and recorded. Each group was then responsible for determining the sex, or sexing, their pig. If the pig was male, it would have a scrotal sac (a pair of swellings between the hind legs) and only one opening under the tail (the anus). A penis should have been located under the skin behind the urogenital opening, found just under the umbilical cord. If the pig was female, it would have two openings under the tail- the anus and the vaginal opening. Before the dissection could begin, the fetal pig needed to be tied down to the dissecting tray to allow easier access to the dissection area. To do this, the pig was placed ventral side up in the dissecting tray and string was acquired. A long piece of string was used to tie a cord around the left forelimb. The cord was then brought under the tray and tied to the right hind limb. This was repeated using the right forelimb and the left hind limb. Once the pig was properly tied down, groups could begin the dissection by opening the abdominal cavity using the method specified to the sex of the pig. The first step was to make a medial incision by cutting from the center of the pig to the chin. The second step was to cut completely around the umbilical cord and then back to the center of the pig, where the medial incision began. The next cut was made from the back of the umbilical cord to the anus by cutting on either side of the penis- if the pig was male- or by a medial incision- if the pig was female. Next, the abdominal flaps were created by making a lateral cut across the abdomen of the pig. Finally, the thoracic flaps were created by making a lateral cut across the thorax of the pig and then the diaphragm was freed to allow access to the internal cavity. Using the dissection booklet as guidance, students were then required to cut the umbilical vein- the vein attaching the umbilical cord to the liver- and mark it with a piece of string so as not to lose it. The abdominal and thoracic flaps were then opened and pinned

down using dissecting pins to hold them away from the abdominal cavity. Once the internal cavity was successfully opened, the liver, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, caecum, rectum, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, and diaphragm were found. To begin further examination of the abdominal cavity, an incision was made just anterior to the stomach, carefully as to not cut through the diaphragm. If necessary, the liver was removed to do so. Next, groups were instructed to cut through the rectum as close to the anus as possible. The digestive tract was then removed carefully and set on the dissecting tray. The small intestine was examined to determine how it was held in place and the three parts of the small intestine (the duodenum, jejunum and ileum) were identified. The digestive system was carefully unraveled using the blunt probe and the three sections were measured using a ruler. Next, the dissecting scissors were used to cut open the stomach and its insides were examined. The small intestine was cut through to examine the insides and a small section was submerged underwater. The large intestine and rectum were then similarly cut open and examined. To begin the examination of the thoracic cavity, the dissecting scissors were used to cut through the ribs to expose the thoracic cavity. The esophagus, lungs, pleura, ribs, larynx and diaphragm were all located and examined. The lungs and pericardium were then removed to allow a better observation of the circulatory system and the aorta, vena cava, right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle were all located and examined. Next, the heart was removed by cutting through the attached blood vessels. Enough of each blood vessel was left attached to the heart to make identification possible. Using the scalpel, the heart was then cut through from top to bottom so the four chambers could be seen and the valves that control blood flow were located. Once they were done with their fetal pig, each group was responsible for placing it in a plastic bag (which was then closed tight) and disposing of it in the garbage. The garbage bag was then removed from the classroom to prevent unnecessary odours. Each dissection tool was then cleaned using a strong soap and dried using paper towel. The dissection area was wiped down using a cleaner (such as Windex) and paper towels. The used paper towels were disposed of and the clean dissection tools were put away safely. Observations: Part 1: External Features: The length of the fetal pig was measured and found to be 28cm. Using the length/age chart from the Biology 11 textbook, it was determined that the fetal pig was 4550 days old. The sex of the fetal pig was determined by examining its external features. Once the vaginal opening was found- and it was determined that no scrotal sac or penis was present- the pig was concluded to be a female specimen. Part 2: Digestive System: Part 2A: The Intact Digestive System:

When the flaps of skin on the fetal pig were opened and pinned down, a shiny membrane could be seen covering all of the organs. This membrane was the serous membrane, which lubricates the movement of the organs. When inspecting the digestive system specifically, it was found that a thin membrane covered the organs and held them in place. This membrane is known as the mesentery membrane. Part 2B: Removal of Certain Organs: The small intestine is held in place by the thin, shiny membrane called the mesentery membrane. The measurements of each organ are as follows: Organ Liver Spleen Kidney Stomach Large Intestine Small Intestine Length (cm) 6 6.2 3 4 63 111

The inner surface of the stomach was very smooth with many folds, called rugae. The inner surfaces of the small intestine, large intestine, and rectum were all fairly smooth with several tiny bumps. The inner surface of the small intestine and large intestine had many villi for nutrient and water absorption respectively. When a part of the small intestine submerged in water, the villi stood up quickly before shrinking back to normal. The inner surface of the rectum included an amount of dried-up amniotic fluid, which the fetal pig would have ingested to practice breathing and eating. Part 3: The Gas Exchange System: When the esophagus and trachea were examined and compared, several differences were found. Firstly, the length of the esophagus was larger than the length of the trachea. The esophagus extended from the oral cavity to the beginning of the stomach, where it is separated by the cardiac sphincter. The trachea was ventral to the esophagus and extended from the oral cavity to the bronchi, where the air is transported into the lungs. Secondly, the esophagus was more muscular than the trachea. Where the trachea serves as a passage for air, the esophagus is responsible for moving ingested food to the stomach via peristalsis. Breathing requires less muscle in the trachea than swallowing requires in the esophagus. The fetal pig was found to have ten pairs of ribs in the thoracic cavity, protecting the vital lungs and heart. Each rib was separated by a small amount of muscle, known as the intercostals. Neither of these features was very large, however as a pig grows so do the bones and intercostal muscles in order to protect the growing lungs and heart.

Part 4: The Circulatory System: When the heart was cut open, each of the heart chambers became visible. The walls of the right atrium and ventricle were noticeably thicker and more muscular than the thinner and less muscular walls of the left atrium and ventricle. Discussion: The dissection was a very interesting opportunity to learn new things about the internal organs that are present in humans. One very interesting thing that was learned from the dissection was how every organ of the internal cavity fit together in such a unique and ideal way. The intestines were held together very closely with the mesentery membrane and were held in place perfectly between the stomach and anus regions. The lungs, heart, ribs, stomach, liver, and kidneys were all layered in such a way that the amount of space that they take up was very small yet convenient as to how they function. Another interesting thing that was discovered through the dissection was how placental mammals are stored and nourished until birth. The fetal pig had an umbilical cord with an umbilical vein that allowed the pig to gain oxygen in its blood, from the diffusion that occurs between the mother and fetus through the placenta. Also, the traces of amniotic fluid in the pigs stomach and rectum showed how the fetal pig would ingest amniotic flood for nourishment before it is born. It was interesting to obtain an in-depth examination of the vital organs located in mammals. Though it was known before the lab began that the heart consists of left and right atria and ventricles, it was a unique opportunity to be able to cut into a heart and actually see and feel the differences between the left and right chambers. Also, the inflation of the large pig lungs from the butcher shop gave a great idea of how the lungs of a human actually work and how muscular and tough they are. The interconnection of organs and organ systems was easily recognized in the fetal pig. One main way the organs of the fetal pig were interconnected was in their placement. The stomach and liver, two main organs of the digestive system, were the most exemplary of this. Both of these organs were placed in such a way that their shape fit perfectly around the lungs and organs of the circulatory system. This would be ideal for not only decreasing the amount of space each organ system takes up inside the body, but would also provide extra protection for the organs due to the way each organ cushions the other. For example, the heart was protected by the lungs from the front and the liver from the back. Osmosis was one main way the digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems were all interconnected in the fetal pig. Capillaries from the circulatory system touched every organ of these three systems, which is how the respiratory system provides each of the systems with oxygenated blood. That is also how the digestive system would provide cells with the nutrients needed to function. The digestive system of the fetal pig showed how many organs are interconnected in order to provide a necessary function for the pig. The esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus were all connected together and had to be cut in order to separate.

This showed how the digestive system is composed of several organs that are all connected, and work in a specific order to obtain the necessary nutrients from food, in one long GI tract from the begging (the esophagus) to the end (anus). The dissection of animals is an important part of the Biology stream in high schools. The experience that dissections provide students is a necessary experience that is essential if students are going to continue their education with university Biology courses. In these courses, students will be required to perform dissections in order to obtain an understanding of the content being learned in the course and to succeed in the courses that will prepare them for their careers in the field of biology. If students who have taken Grade eleven and twelve university stream Biology did not have the chance to perform a dissection, they would not have experience that will help them succeed in their university dissection. By dissecting an animal in high school, students will gain a far deeper academic understanding of how internal organ and organ systems work in their own body than they would have gained from just reading text on the subject. The actual experience of examining the organs provides a hands-on look at how organs look and interact and will provide students with an experience that may be beneficial later in life, such as in postsecondary education and their careers. Conclusion: The fetal pig dissection provided a great opportunity to experience a hands-on look at the internal systems of mammals. The dissection provided an in-depth look at how internal organs and internal organ systems interact, in placement and in functions, as well as the basic size of each. For example, not only do the circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems interact through osmosis, but they also interact by means of the way they fit together for protection and conservation of space. The prediction that was made at the beginning of the lab was correct; a new understanding of internal systems was gained throughout the dissection. It was important to note that a few errors could have occurred during the dissection. The main error that was present was related to the actual physical dissection of the fetal pig. Due to any issue, such as a sharp scalpel or unsteady hand, the cutting of tissues in the pig could have resulted in unwanted tissues being cut. For example, the small intestine was cut too far accidentally resulting in there being several pieces of small intestine having to be placed together in order to obtain an accurate length measurement.

References

Indiana University- Perdue University Fort Wayne. (2000). Lymphatic Systems. Retrieved October 25, 2011, from http://users.ipfw.edu/shannon/204.LAB.2.LYMPH.SEROUS.9ed.pdf Smith, D. (2005, August 20). Eutheria, the Placental Mammals. University of California. Retrieved October 23, 2011, from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/eutheria/placental.html