Comparative Anatomy on Vertebrates

INTRODUCTION TO DISSECTION: DISSECTION OF CANE TOAD

Rhinella marina
Maureen T. Lauzon

University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College

Magsaysay Blvd., Tacloban City, Leyte Philippines, 6500

Dissection is the opening up of the body of a dead animal or plant to examine its
anatomical organization. In this exercise, a Cane Toad was dissected. The procedure was done
in 5 parts: Pithing Procedure, External Anatomy, Mouth, Internal Anatomy: Dissection, and,
Internal Body Systems.

INTRODUCTION protective gear, ensuring the environment is

clean, dissection technique and pre-
Dissection is the opening up of the
dissection tests to specimens if infected with
body of a dead animal or plant to examine
viruses. Specimens are dissected in morgues
its anatomical organization.
or anatomy labs. When provided, they are
Plant and animal bodies are dissected evaluated for use as a "fresh" or "prepared"
to analyze the structure and function of its specimen. A "fresh" specimen may be
components. Dissection is practised by dissected within some days, retaining the
students in courses of biology, botany, characteristics of a living specimen, for the
zoology, and veterinary science, and purposes of training. A "prepared" specimen
sometimes in arts studies. In medical may be preserved in solutions such as
schools, students dissect human cadavers to formalin and pre-dissected by an
learn anatomy. experienced anatomist, sometimes with the

Dissection is used to help to help of a diener. This preparation is

determine the cause of death in autopsy sometimes called prosection.

(called necropsy in other animals) and is an

intrinsic part of forensic medicine.
MATERIALS and METHODS
A key principle in dissection of
For this exercise, an adult toad was
human cadavers/animals is the prevention of
dissected. To dissect the toad, the following
disease to the dissector. Prevention of
materials were used:
transmission includes the wearing of
Comparative Anatomy on Vertebrates

Gloves nictitating membrane, tympanic membrane,

Dissecting Pan
and nostrils.
Dissecting Set (i.e. Forceps, Scalpel,
Dissecting scissors, Hand lens,
Probe, Dissecting pins) The fore limbs, hind limbs, and digits
were also observed for the toad’s external
The procedure was done in 5 parts: Pithing
anatomy.
Procedure, External Anatomy, Mouth,
Internal Anatomy: Dissection, and, Mouth

Internal Body Systems. The mouth was pried using scissors.

Pithing Procedure It was cut where the mandible and maxilla

Prior to the experiment, the toad was
first pithed to be insensitive to the pain.
Before the experiment, you need to render
usually join together. The tongue, glottis,
and esophagus were examined.
Internal Anatomy: Dissection

the frog insensitive to pain. Pithing is one Opening up the frog:

technique to achieve this. It is the method of
The frog was placed ventral side up
physically disrupting the brain and rostral
(on its back) and pin its four limbs down.
part of the spinal cord. The mechanical
With the help of a forceps, the toad’s skin
destruction to the brain stem inhibits the
was lifted making it easier to make a small
animal from retrieving consciousness and
cut using a scalpel for a starting place for the
makes the stunning permanent. The probe
scissors to cut. The scissors was then used to
was quickly inserted into the cranial vault
continue the incision up to the toad’s neck.
and severed the brain and spinal cord.
A horizontal cut was then done between the
Reflexes were tested to confirm that sensory
front legs and the rear legs next. Lastly, a
perception has been destroyed and ensure
scalpel was used to detach the skin from the
that the spinal cord is still intact, although it
muscle layer underneath.
is now in shock.
Cutting the Muscle and Bone:
External Anatomy
First muscle incision
The toad was positioned right side up so
that the face is easily identified. The parts to The abdominal muscle was first cut in
be observed for the face were the eyes, the middle. A vertical incision was first done
between the rear legs then all the way up,
Comparative Anatomy on Vertebrates

ending between the front legs. It was done
with utmost care, for the muscle is
extremely thin.
Cutting the bone
The chest bones needed to be cut. The bones
on the chest area were cut carefully,
stopping at the neck area.
Second (Horizontal) Muscle Incision:
Internal Body Systems
To study all the organs of the toad,
they were divided into 4 layers for optimal
examination. In layer 1, the liver and heart
was seen. Beneath the heart and liver, lies
layer 2. Layer two comprises the gall
bladder, the stomach, and the small intestine.
To see layer 3, the gall bladder, heart, and
liver must be removed. Layer 3 consists of

The horizontal incisions done to the skin in the lungs and pancreas. Lastly, for layer 4,

the before, was also the same manner for the the stomach, small intestine, large intestine,

muscle. The first incision is between the and pancreas needed to be removed. After

front legs, the second is between the rear removing the following organs, the spleen

legs. The muscle flaps was detached from and kidneys were revealed.

the organs beneath. A scalpel was utilized to

separate the muscle tissue from the organ
tissue.

RESULTS

Figure 1 Dorsal View of Toad

Comparative Anatomy on Vertebrates

Figure 2 Lateral View of Toad

Figure 3 Buccal Cavity

Comparative Anatomy on Vertebrates

Figure 4 layer 1

Figure 5 Layer 2
Comparative Anatomy on Vertebrates

Figure 6 Layer 3 and 4

DISCUSSION

After the toad was fully pithed, it became paralyzed. However some reflexes still reacted
like the eyes blinking. Unlike the toad, they are not slimy and their body is covered in warts. The
hind limbs are the back legs while the fore limbs are the front arms. The digits are the fingers
/toes of the toad. As observed, the palm of the toad had a darkly pigmented patch, indicating the
toad is a male.

Externally the eye, nostril, nictitating membrane, and tympanic membrane were
examined. The toad’s eyes are quoted to have super-vision. They can see even in pitch dark
places. The nostril serves as the anterior openings for the entry or exit of air. The nictitating
membrane is a transparent part of a frog’s lower eyelid that moves over the eye to clean it and
protect it. The tympanic membrane serves as the ear of the toad. It receives sound waves. Beside
the tympanic membrane are the poison glands.
Comparative Anatomy on Vertebrates

The joint connecting the maxilla and mandible were cut in order to study the buccal
cavity. The esophagus, tongue and glottis encompass the buccal cavity. The tongue is the
muscular structure attached to the front of the mouth which is extended to catch insects. The
glottis is the opening from the mouth into the respiratory system. While the esophagus is tube
that connects the mouth and the stomach in a frog.

Opening

REFERENCES

BIOPAC Systems, Inc. (2001). Frog Pith & Preparation. Available from www.biopac.com

Chordate Zoology. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ugbio/bio344/bio344lab

exercise.html

King, G. M., & Custance, D. R. N. (1982). Colour atlas of vertebrate anatomy: An integrated text
and dissection guide. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications.