THE PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT IS TO GET YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE FETAL PIG. TOMORROW
YOU WILL BE EXAMINING AN OPENED SPECIMEN OF A FETAL PIG. TODAY WE WILL BE EXAMINING
VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE FETAL PIG PROVIDED BY WHITMAN COLLEGE AND THE STATE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT CLINTON. THE PHOTOGRAPHS WILL SHOW US THE INTERIOR OF THE
FETAL PIG. VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHS WILL SHOW US THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, NERVOUS SYSTEM,
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, EXCRETORY SYSTEM, AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.
OBJECTIVE: STUDENTS WILL COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS OF THE PIG THROUGH
EXAMINING WEB-BASED RESOURCES AND PRODUCE GROUP (CLASS) DISCUSSION.
BACKGROUND ON SPECIMEN: FETAL PIGS ARE EASY TO OBTAIN. THEY ALONG WITH THE
EARTHWORM ARE FAVORITE SPECIMENS TO DISSECT IN EXAMINE IN BIOLOGY LABORATORIES. THE
FETAL PIG IS A ________________________ (WHAT GROUP OF ANIMALS: MAMMAL, BIRD, REPTILE,
ETC); THEREFORE, ITS SYSTEMS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF A HUMAN BEING. FETAL PIGS ARE EASY TO
OBTAIN BECAUSE THEY ARE A BY-PRODUCT OF THE PORK INDUSTRY. WHEN A PREGNANT SOW IS
BEING SLAUGHTERED FOR HER PORK MEAT, THE UNBORN PIGLET IS PRESERVED IN FORMALDYHIDE
AND IS SENT TO LABS FOR EXAMINATION AND DISSECTION.
SYSTEMS: THIS INFORMATION WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT
CLINTON.
Anterior refers to the head end. If a structure is anterior to another then it is closer to
the head.
Posterior refers to the tail end.
Dorsal refers to the back side. The pig in the first photograph below is laying on its
dorsal side.
Ventral is the belly side. It is opposite the dorsal side. The pig in the first photograph
below has its ventral side up.
PIG SYSTEMS: THIS INFORMATION COMES FROM WHITMAN COLLEGE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: THE HEAD
1. FUNCTION OF THE TONGUE:
2. FUNCTION OF THE SENSORY PAPILLAE:
3. FUNCTION OF THE NARES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY
Most of the digestive, excretory and reproductive organs reside in this cavity, along with organs from other systems.
You have already seen how the esophagus leads from the pharynx through the neck
region. Using a probe, trace follow the esophagus to thestomach. Identify the small
intestine and large intestine. Find the posterior part of the large intestine called
the rectum and observe that it leads to the anus. Locate the cecum, a blind pouch
where the small intestine joins the large intestine.
Identify the liver. Lift the right lobe and find the gallbladder. This structure stores bile
produced by the liver. Find the bile duct that leads to the small intestine.
The pancreas is located dorsal and posterior to the stomach. It extends along the
length of the stomach from the left side of the body (your right) to the point where the
stomach joins the small intestine. Lift the stomach and identify this light-colored
organ.
The spleen is an elongate, flattened, brownish organ that extends along the posterior
part of the stomach ventral to (above) the pancreas.
The cecum is a blind pouch where the small intestine joins the large intestine. It
houses bacteria used to digest plant materials such as cellulose. The cecum is large in
herbivores but much of it has been lost during evolution in humans. The appendix in
humans is the evolutionary remains of a larger cecum in human ancestors
4. HOW DOES THE SPLEEN FUNCTION WITHIN THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM?
5. HOW DOES THE LIVER FUNCTION WITHIN THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM?
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM?
WHAT DOES THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM REMOVE FROM BLOOD? WHAT DOES IT REPLACE IT WITH?
LIST SEVERAL ORGANS IN THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM:
The trachea is a large diameter tube located in the throat and thoracic cavity. It has cartilaginous rings in its
walls that keep the airway open. The trachea carries air directly into the lungs.
HOW DOES THIS HELP THE PIG TO BREATHE?
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE DIAPHRAGM?
NERVOUS SYSTEM:
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE BONY STRUCTURE THAT PROTECTS THE BRAIN?
The spine, or vertebral column, is important because it protects the spinal cord, which relays (and processes)
messages between the brain and most of the body
BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED ABOUT THE SPINAL COLUMN, WHY IS THE SPINAL CORD
ESSENTIAL TO AN INDIVIDUAL’S BODY?
The lumbar region of the spine extends caudally from thoracic vertebrae to the rostral part of thepelvis/sacrum
of the pig. The ribs articulate with the thoracic vertebrae, so the lumbar region is caudal to the caudal-most rib.
ORGANS IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM:
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM:
The circulatory system (also called the cardiovascular system in mammals) of the pig is responsible for the
transportation of nutrients, gases, wastes, and hormones.
Additionally, it is involved with the control of body temperature, provides channels for the immune system to protect
the body, and participates in the maintenance of body fluid homeostasis.
WHY IS THE THYMUS GLAND IMPORTANT?
ORGANS IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: