THE ETHICS OF USING CATS FOR MEDICAL
SCIENCE DISSECTIONS
The question of the ethics of using cats for medical science
dissection and learning can and should be raised. The ethical
argument against the use of cats would be stronger if cats were
bred specifically to be killed for dissection. However, the cats we
use are the product of uncontrolled reproduction of pets.
The surplus wind up at the animal shelter. At the animal shelter,
the majority of cats are "euthanized" in a hypobaric chamber. In
this chamber, the air is pumped out until the animal first passes
out, and eventually dies of oxygen starvation. In the great
majority of cases, the carcasses are then either cremated or buried.
It is clear that using these animals which have already
been euthanized yields at least one positive outcome of their sad
deaths, one of advancing the teaching of medical science. Until the
pet population explosion is under control and there is no surplus of
euthanized cats, it would seem that a constructive use of a social
tragedy is to be encouraged.
http://aahsanatomy.pbworks.com/w/page/1181317/Silver%207-%20Introduction%20to%20Cat
Basic Terminology:
Anterior: toward front
Caudal: toward tail
Cephalad: toward head
Distal: away from midline
Dorsal: toward tail
Inferior: below
Lateral: away from periphery
Medial: toward midline
Mesial: toward midline
Posterior: toward back
Proximal: toward midline
Superior: above
Ventral: toward belly
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/Fankhauser/Labs/Anatomy_&_Physiology/A&P201/Cat_Skinning/Cat_Skinning.htm
http://www.rcs.rome.ga.us/hargett/anatomy/cat.htm
http://science.tjc.edu/images/cat_muscles/cat_ant_sterno_comb.jpg
1. Digastric
2. Mylohyoid
3. Geniohyoid
4. Sternohyoid
5. Sternomastoid
6. Clavotrapezius
7. External Jugular Vein
http://homes.bio.psu.edu/people/faculty/strauss/anatomy/musc/necksup2.htm
SUPERFICIAL THORAX MUSCLES
http://bio.bd.psu.edu/cat/Muscular_System/superficial_muscles.htm#tf
http://www2.brevard.edu/kinslekh/AcadCrea/cat/images/Picture2.jpg
http://science.tjc.edu/images/cat_muscles/cat_ant_sterno_comb.jpg
The cat has 4 pectoral
muscles:
Pectoralis major
Pectantebrachialis
Pectoralis minor
Xiphihumeralis
www.goramblers.com
9
bio.sunyorange.edu/updated2/comparative_anatomy/anat.html2/Abdominal%20
Muscles_files/19cat.jpg
5
5
3: Internal Oblique
2: Transversus abdominus
4: External oblique
5: Rectus abdominus campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/tderting/
anatomyatlas/cat_muscles/abdominal.jpg
www2.ivccc.edu
1: Spinotrapezius
2: Acromiotrapezius
3: Clavotrapezius
5: Latissimus dorsi
8: Clavodeltoid
6
7
8
1: Supraspinatus
2: Infraspinatus
www.personal.psu.edu/dys100/cat/CatMuscleImages/Labeled/
3: Teres major
6: Latissimus dorsi backdeep.jpg
7: Splenius
8: Rhomboid
Rhomboid
courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/muscle_photos/cat_muscle_photos.htm
. Bicep
Biceps brachii
Epitrochlearis
>
Semimembranosous
A Bicep femoris
B Caudofemoralis
C Gluteus maximus
D Gluteus medius
E Tensor fasciae latae
G Sartorius
Semitendenosus