Carolina Biological Supply Company

Exploring Feline Anatomy with

Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Cats
 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

Quality Safety
Superior No dangerous
preservation off-gassing

Superior
No formalin
tissue color
odor
and texture
Competitor’s Specimen Carolina’s Perfect
Solution® 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!
 Lay out your
Organize your
instruments so
dissection area.
they are easy to
access.

Ready?
 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
Carefully observe the teeth and compare
them to human teeth.

• Elongated jaw forms

a muzzle
• Modified teeth
Modification of Teeth

• Canines
• Incisors
• Molariforms (aka carnassial):
designed for tearing tendons
and ligaments of prey
 Specimen Navigation

Frontal Transverse Median

plane plane sagittal plane
Dorsal

Anterior
(cranial) Posterior
(caudal)
Proximal

Distal

Ventral
 Proper Skinning Technique

There really is more

than 1 way!
Avoid injection areas.
One side only!
 Cutting Lines

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
 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
 Rectus abdominis
Xiphihumeralis

External oblique
Latissimus dorsi
Rectus abdominis

Internal oblique

External oblique (reflected)

 Adipose tissue (fat)

Transverse
abdominis

Internal
oblique
(reflected)

External oblique
(reflected)
 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
 Lungs

Auricle (right atrium)

Ventricles of the heart

Diaphragm

Note: Ribs have been removed.

 Esophagus Diaphragm
(cut and
reflected)

Liver

Inferior vena cava

 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.
 Spleen

Stomach is
Stomach reflected.
Pancreas with
intact fascia is
shown.
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.
 Bladder

Ureter

Uterine horn/
Fallopian tube Ovary
Adrenal glands
Kidney
Observe the
kidneys and
Bladder
bladder.
Note the
adipose tissue
around the
kidneys.
 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’s Free Resources

Carolina offers many free

resources to support teachers.