Laboratory Report on Pig's Heart

Dissection

Presented by: Rendale A. Robledo

Abstract: This laboratory report outlines the dissection of a pig's heart to study its anatomy,
physiology, and structural features. The dissection procedure involved careful examination of
the heart's chambers, valves, blood vessels, and associated structures. Through this dissection,
various aspects of the pig's heart were observed and analyzed, providing valuable insights into
its functioning and comparison to the human heart.Introduction: The pig's heart is often used as
a model for studying mammalian cardiovascular anatomy and physiology due to its similarities
to the human heart. Like the human heart, the pig's heart consists of four chambers: two atria
and two ventricles. Additionally, it shares comparable blood vessels and valves, albeit with some
anatomical variations. Dissecting a pig's heart provides an opportunity to explore these
similarities and differences in detail, offering insights into cardiac function and structure.

Procedure: The pig's heart was obtained from a local butcher and preserved in a formaldehyde
solution.External Examination: The external features of the heart, including size, shape, and
major blood vessels, were observed.Opening the Heart: Using a scalpel, an incision was made
along the length of the heart to expose the internal chambers.Chamber Examination: Each
chamber of the heart was carefully examined, noting the thickness of the walls, the presence of
valves, and the connections to major blood vessels.Valve Functionality: The functionality of the
heart valves was tested by manually opening and closing them to observe blood flow.Blood
Vessel Analysis: The major blood vessels, including the aorta, pulmonary artery, pulmonary
veins, and vena cavae, were identified and examined for structure and function.Documentation:
Detailed observations and measurements were recorded, including photographs and diagrams
of the dissected heart.
Results and Discussion: The dissection of the pig's heart revealed several key findings: The
heart exhibited four distinct chambers, with the left ventricle notably thicker-walled than the right
ventricle, reflecting its role in pumping oxygenated blood to the body.Valves, such as the mitral
valve and tricuspid valve, were present and demonstrated functionality in regulating blood flow
between chambers.Major blood vessels, including the aorta and pulmonary artery, were
observed, facilitating the distribution of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood throughout the
body.Anatomical similarities between the pig's heart and the human heart were evident,
emphasizing the suitability of pigs as models for cardiovascular research.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the dissection of a pig's heart offers a comprehensive exploration of

its anatomy, physiology, and structural features. Through careful examination and analysis,
similarities and differences between the pig's heart and the human heart were elucidated,
highlighting the relevance of pigs as model organisms in cardiovascular research. This
laboratory exercise provided valuable hands-on experience and insights into the complex
workings of the cardiovascular system, contributing to our understanding of mammalian cardiac
biology.