Exploring Feline Anatomy with Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Cats

Carolina Biological Supply Company

Objectives

• Introduce the general structure, anatomy, and physiology of the cat

• Explore the benefits of using the cat as a model organism for your next mammalian dissection

• Experience the quality of Carolina’s Perfect Solution® specimens

Workshop Features Activities from One of Our Most Popular Dissection Kits!

Cat Dissection BioKit®

Carolina’s Perfect Solution® CATS Are Ready for IMMEDIATE DELIVERY!

We will work in groups of 4.

Why Are We Doing a Cat Dissection?

• Learn vertebrate anatomy and morphology

• Discover the structures and processes shared by cats and humans

• Develop a greater appreciation for the complexity of life

Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Specimens

Superior preservation

Superior tissue color and texture

Quality

No dangerous off-gassing

No formalin odor

Safety

Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Specimen

Competitor’s Specimen

Carolina Dissection Materials

Safety Issues

• Personal Protective Equipment

Gloves, goggles, and lab aprons

• Dissection Tools

New tools = sharp scalpels

• Safety Tip

If you are not using an instrument, set it down

Model Proper Lab Safety!

Ready?

Lay out your instruments so they are easy to

access.

Organize your dissection area.

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

Retain bag and fluid for storing your cat.

Comparing Cats to Humans

Similarities and Differences?

Comparing Cats to Humans

Genetically similar

Similar genes = very similar anatomy!

Adaptations for Carnivores

Agility…

The long tail

Toes equipped with compressed, hooked, retractile claws

Configuration of the Head

• Elongated jaw forms a muzzle

• Modified teeth

Carefully observe the teeth and compare them to human teeth.

Modification of Teeth

• Canines

• Incisors

• Molariforms (aka carnassial): designed for tearing tendons and ligaments of prey

Specimen Navigation

Frontal plane

Transverse plane

Dorsal

Median sagittal plane

Posterior (caudal)

Ventral

Anterior (cranial)

Proximal

Distal

Proper Skinning Technique

There really is more than 1 way!

Avoid injection areas.

One side only!

For dissection by STUDENTS:

Allows for pelt to be placed around cat for storage after

each dissection session

Cutting Lines

For this WORKSHOP:

Exposure of thoracic and abdominal regions for

muscle identification and internal exploration

Cutting Lines

Proper Skinning Technique

Keep scalpels pointing

and cutting toward skin.

Lift and separate from fascia with blunt

instruments.

Teacher Tip: Skinned Cats

You may choose to save class time and purchase skinned cats!

Muscle Isolation

Opportunity for extensive study of:

• Morphology

• Kinesiology

• General muscle architecture

Muscle types:

• Smooth or striated

• Shape: convergent, strap, fan, or pinnate

• Points of origin and insertion marked by dense connective tissue

Pectoantebrachialis

Pectoralis major

Pectoralis minor

Xiphihumeralis

External oblique Latissimus dorsi

Rectus abdominis

Xiphihumeralis

External oblique (reflected)

Internal oblique

Rectus abdominis

Adipose tissue (fat)

External oblique (reflected)

Internal oblique

(reflected)

Transverse abdominis

Opening the Thoracic Cavity

Use scalpel or scissors to expose throat/neck region and the sternal region.

Be careful to make shallow incisions so that the thyroid and thymus glands remain intact.

Initial Incision

Cutting the Chest Plate

Thyroid gland

Trachea

Thoracic Cavity

Cut away ribs to open thoracic region.

Observe thymus gland on the anterior surface of the heart prior to removing pericardial sac.

Remove pericardial sac.

Prior to removing

pericardial sac

Ventricles of the heart

Diaphragm

Auricle (right atrium)

Lungs

Note: Ribs have been removed.

Diaphragm (cut and

reflected)

Liver

Inferior vena cava

Esophagus

Heading to the Abdominal Cavity

Muscle layer is very thin here and structures lie just below the surface.

Using the scissors or scalpel, make a midline incision.

When you reach the genital region, make a lateral incision through the inguinal region on each side.

Liver Stomach

Spleen

Greater omentum

The Lesser and Greater Omentums

Peritoneal folds that appear like an apron over the abdominal organs.

Have points of attachment at the stomach, liver, small intestine, spleen, and colon.

Serve as fat storage.

Remove carefully along points of attachment.

Liver

Gallbladder

Stomach

Kidney

Small intestine

Spleen

Liver

Gallbladder

Stomach

Small intestine

Gallbladder

Lobe of liver is reflected.

The gallbladder

and common bile duct are

exposed.

Stomach is reflected.

Pancreas with intact fascia is

shown.

Spleen

Stomach

Remove the fascia from pancreas.

Note the difference in appearance.

Small and Large Intestines

Follow the small intestine from the attachment at the stomach.

Note the mesentery and the mesenteric blood vessels.

Note where the small intestine becomes the large intestine.

Viewing the Urogenital System

Cut the large intestine at the lowest point possible in the pelvis.

Reflect the intestines and other abdominal organs up and back or remove them at the top of the stomach to

view the urogenital system.

Ureter

Ovary Uterine horn/ Fallopian tube

Bladder

Adrenal glands

Observe the kidneys and

bladder.

Note the adipose tissue

around the kidneys.

Bladder

Kidney

Notes for Urogenital System

Adrenal glands in cats are more superior and medial than in humans; not directly on the anterior surface of

the kidney.

There is a great convergence of blood vessels and ureters in this area; injection makes this easier to see.

Cleanup Instructions

• KEEP GLOVES ON!

• Place ONLY animal waste in buckets.

• All other trash goes in trash bags.

• Wipe out pans, clean tools, and wipe off tables.

We Can Meet Your Dissection Needs

Top-quality specimens and supplies

Additional Resources from Carolina

Carolina™ BioLab® Virtual Lab Series

Guide students through an interactive virtual dissection,

teaching internal and external features.

Carolina offers many free resources to support teachers.

Carolina’s Free Resources