RBM1203

Laboratory 2: Anatomy of the cardiovascular system

Learning Objectives: After completion of this laboratory experience you should be able to
identify:
1. the various structures of the heart and understand the function of each
2. the structural layers of arteries and veins
3. the major arteries of the systemic circulation
4. the major veins of the systemic circulation

Procedure 1:
Heart anatomy
a) Label the diagram of the heart
b) Locate the following structures using the models and sheep heart. Follow the
instructions below to dissect the sheep heart. After you have identified each structure,
provide a definition for each.

ƒ pericardium
ƒ epicardium
ƒ myocardium
ƒ endocardium
ƒ ventricles (left & right)
ƒ atria (left & right)
ƒ aorta
ƒ pulmonary trunk
ƒ pulmonary arteries
ƒ pulmonary veins
ƒ vena cava (superior & inferior)
ƒ coronary arteries
ƒ interventricular septum
ƒ trabeculae carneae
ƒ chordae tendineae
ƒ papillary muscle
ƒ tricuspid valve
ƒ mitral (bicuspid) valve
ƒ aortic semilunar valve
ƒ pulmonary semilunar valve
ƒ coronary sinus

Instructions for heart dissection:

1. Identify the following organs or fragments attached to the heart: lungs, trachea, bronchi,
esophagus, and diaphragm
2. Carefully sever the blood vessels from organs such as the lungs to separate the heart
together with its major vessels
3. Identify and remove the pericardium
4. Carefully remove most of the fat surrounding the heart
5. Identify the base and apex of the heart
6. Place the heart in the anatomical position by sitting the base of the heart on your hand,
with blood vessels lying superiorly and the apex slightly to the left
7. Identify right and left atria, and right and left ventricles
8. Identify the inferior and superior vena cava, pulmonary trunk, pulmonary veins, and aorta
9. With the ventral surface of the heart uppermost, cut through the opening of the superior
and inferior vena cava into the right atrium
10. Identify the tricuspid valve
11. Run water through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle until it fills, then squeeze the
ventricles gently and watch what happens to the valve
12. Cut through the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle, keeping close to the
interventricular septum; discard any clotted blood
 13. Identify the pulmonary semi-lunar valve
14. Identify the chordae tendineae and papillary muscle
15. Cut across the upper left pulmonary vein to expose the left atrium
16. Locate the bicuspid / mitral valve
17. Cut along the aorta into the left ventricle and identify the two openings above the aortic
semilunar valves which lead to the coronary arteries
18. Compare the thickness of the atria, left ventricle, and right ventricle

Structure Definition

Pericardium ___________________________________________________________________

Epicardium ____________________________________________________________________

Myocardium ___________________________________________________________________

Endocardium __________________________________________________________________

Ventricles (left & right) ___________________________________________________________

Atria (left & right) _______________________________________________________________

Aorta ________________________________________________________________________

Pulmonary trunk ________________________________________________________________

Pulmonary arteries ______________________________________________________________

Vena cava (superior & inferior) ____________________________________________________

Coronary arteries _______________________________________________________________

Interventricular septum __________________________________________________________

Trabeculae carneae _____________________________________________________________

Chordae tendineae ____________________________________________________________

Papillary muscle ________________________________________________________________

Tricuspid valve _________________________________________________________________

Mitral (bicuspid) valve ___________________________________________________________

Aortic semilunar valve ___________________________________________________________

Pulmonary semilunar valve _______________________________________________________

Procedure 2:
Blood vessel anatomy

a) Label the diagram of the major systemic arteries and identify these on the models
b) Label the diagram of the major systemic veins and identify these on the models
 c) Examine the slide of an arterial cross-section and identify the endothelium, smooth
muscle, and connective tissue layer.

d) Examine the slide of a vein cross section and identify the endothelium, smooth
muscle, and connective tissue layer

e) Label the artery and vein in the following light photomicrograph (30X) and describe
the major difference apparent in the cross section.

Demonstrator's signature Date

 School of Biomedical Sciences
Risk Management

Section A: Practical Details

Practical No. 2 Title Anatomy of the

cardiovascular system
Course Code RBM1530 Subject Human Bioscience 2
Year Level 1 Subject Co-ordinator Dr Louise Lexis
Date prepared 24/7/06 Prepared by Dr Louise Lexis
Submitted by Dr Louise Lexis Accepted by Anthony LaTerra

Level of Hazard LOW (refer to Section F)

Legend.

Lab coats and safety glasses must be worn in the laboratory at

all times.

Control Measure
G Gloves N Nitrile gloves F Fume-hood
D Dust mask T Tongs S Face shield
A Aseptic technique L Laminar flow C Caution students
O Other N See notes

Disposal of Waste
W Water dilution and sink NH Non halogenated HM Heavy metal waste
B Alkaline waste H Halogenated SW Solid waste
container
A Acid waste D Disinfectant vessel WW Wet waste bag
BB Biohazard bin/ bag BG Broken glassware bin SB Sharps container
SR Scalpel remover O Other N See notes
Section B: Biological hazards

9
Hazard Control Measure Waste Disposal
Human blood
Horse blood
Saliva / cheek cells
Urine samples
Serum
Cadaver
9 Animal dissection G, C BB
Bacteria pathogenic
Bacteria non pathogenic
Bacteria potentially pathogenic
Fungi
Yeast
Tissue samples
Other:

Section C Sharps

9 Hazard Control Measure Waste Disposal

Glassware
Lancets
Razor blades
9 Scalpel blades C Students do not remove
scalpel blades
Scalpel blades are to be left
on holders and placed in the
tote box of disinfectant. The
technician will then take care
of the scalpels.

Section D General

9 Hazard Control Measure Waste Disposal

Hotplate
Water bath
9 Microscope C
Centrifuge
Electrophoresis equipment
Other
Section E Chemical Hazards

Chemical Conc. Designated Alternative ? Control Waste disposal MSDS

hazardous measures cited
substance

Section F: Risk Analysis Matrix

Consequence Likelihood Hierarchy of risk control

Frequent Probable Occasional Remote

Catastrophic High High High High Is elimination possible?

Fatal High High High Medium Substitution- is there
something less hazardous
that can be used
Critical High High Can engineering controls be
(Severe injury) Medium Low used (fume hoods)
Marginal High Medium Low Low Is there an alternative method
(Medical treatment)
Negligible (First aid) Medium Low Low Personal Protective
Low Equipment

Using the above table decide on the level of risk of a practical class. If one area of a practical
were considered high then the whole practical would be rated as high unless the chemical/
method could be changed and the risk lower