Biology 102

Laboratory 3

Blood Vessels I: Histology of Artery and Vein;

Arteries*
All Slides/material (Red or not) is
important for you to know

Professor Ben Ondimu

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Learning Objectives
At the completion of this laboratory, the student will
be able to:
1.Identify and describe the layers/tunics and
histological characteristics of arteries and veins.
2.Identify the arteries above the diaphragm in a
human model or photograph of a human.
3.Identify the arteries above the diaphragm on a
dissected fetal pig or photograph of a fetal pig.
4.Be able to trace the path of a drop of blood through
the arteries above the diaphragm.

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 Comparison of Walls of Arteries and Veins

Smooth muscle of the

tunica media in both
arteries and veins is
innervated by the
sympathetic nervous
system.

Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

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Pulmonary Vs Systemic Circulation

CVS = Heart + Blood Vessels 4

Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010
 Systemic Circuit

• Composed of vessels that lead from the heart to

all body parts (except the lungs) and back to the
heart

• Includes the aorta and its branches (know all

branches of the aorta in both human and fetal
pig!)

• Includes the system of veins that return blood

to the right atrium (To be covered in lab 5)

• Includes the coronary circulation

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Major Vessels of Arterial System

1. Arteries carry blood

AWAY from heart.

2. Same ‘tube’ is
named something
different depending
on the anatomical
landmark it’s near.

Refer to Ex. 32: Anatomy of

Blood vessels in Marieb’s
13th ed. lab manual

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy &

Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 6
 Major Blood Vessels Associated With Heart
Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

You should know all the vessels and structures on this slide
Remember your ABCs: Aortic arch, Brachiocephalic, Carotid, subclavian 7
 Arteries to Neck, Head, and Brain
Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

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 Internal Thoracic (Mammary) Artery

Image Source: https://www.memorangapp.com/flashcards/191664/Week+7%3A+Breast/ 9

 Arteries to Shoulder and Upper Limb
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= pulse points

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Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010 10

 Arteries of the thorax & forelimb of the fetal pig.

Heart & Blood Vessels of

the Thorax (Fetal Pig)

Figure D4.2a Arteries of the thorax and forelimb of the fetal pig.
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Arteries of the thorax & forelimb of the fetal pig.

Figure D4.2b Arteries of the thorax and forelimb of the fetal pig.
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 Arteries & veins of the abdomen &
hindlimb of the fetal pig

Blood vessels of the Abdomen (Fetal Pig)

Figure D4.3a Arteries and veins of the abdomen and hindlimb of the fetal pig. 
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 Arteries & veins of the abdomen &
hindlimb of the fetal pig

Figure D4.3b Arteries and veins of the abdomen and hindlimb of the fetal pig. 

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Fetal Pig Blood Vessel Dissection Schedule
• Blood vessel labs : Dissection of blood vessels
& Lymphatic ducts of the fetal pig (Dissection
Exercise 4, pp. 719-728 in Marieb)

– Dissection 1(today - arteries above diaphragm and

upper limb)
– Dissection 2 (next lab - arteries below diaphragm
and lower limbs)
– Dissection 3 (two weeks from today – all veins)

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Objectives for Today’s Fetal Pig Dissection
• Begin dissecting the preserved Fetal pig to
identify arteries above the diaphragm and in the
upper limb.

• Begin to identify the arteries listed on the fetal

pig Artery Checklist for Lab 3 in your
Laboratory Guide

• DON’T RUSH YOUR DISSECTION!!!

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 Precautions for Fetal Pig Dissection
• You must wear gloves and goggles for this lab!
• ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINK
• Be EXTREMELY careful when using the scalpels
– Keep your index finger on the top of the blade
– Be careful not to inadvertently cut structures
• Use a blunt probe, or your gloved fingers to dissect
away tissue. Use the scalpel ONLY for initial
cutting. Proceed S-L-O-W-L-Y.
• Discard scraps/liquid into the appropriate container
• Gloves, paper towels -> regular trash

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 Getting started with Fetal Pig Dissection…
• Work in groups of two (We have enough pigs)
• Get some paper towels and keep them at your lab
table
• Get your instruments and dissecting tray ready
• Get a fetal pig and cut the string/twine to open the
bag
• Let the Fetal pig out of the bag! 
• discard the fluid left in bag in a special container
I will show you; you’ll be using this pig all
semester.
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Getting started with Fetal Pig Dissection…
– The thoracic and abdominal cavities may be already
open (Makes your work easier!)/ if not open you
will have to open them.
– Try to identify the major organs you see before you
begin dissecting any further

• Look at the preserved, dissected fetal pig (back

side bench of lab) to get an idea of what you’ll
see for each system

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 Getting started with Fetal Pig Dissection…
• Once the initial cuts have been made according to
the instructions in your Lab Manual(pp. 720) and
the ventral body cavity is open, you are ready to
continue with artery identification (See next two
slides)

• Note that the pigs have been dual injected with

dyes (red = arteries, blue = veins)

• Note the differences in the anatomy of the pig (vs.

the human) in the blood vessels around the heart
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 Initial Cuts
to be made to
prepare for
the fetal pig
for further
dissection

 
Figure D4.1a Ventral body cavity organs of the fetal pig.

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 Major organs of the fetal Pig

Figure D4.1b Ventral body cavity organs of the fetal pig.  

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 Cardiovascular system
• If rib cage is not open, open it by cutting just to
one side of the sternum with scissors then spread
the ribs
• Examine the position of the thoracic organs, i.e.,
heart and lungs and the membranes surrounding
them
• Gently begin to remove the fatty/glandular tissue
from the surface of the heart to expose the
vessels around the heart (see preserved fetal pig)
• Work S-L-O-W-L-Y to dissect away the CT
from the vessels. Use a blunt/dull probe.
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 Artery Dissection

• You should be able to locate the arteries above

the diaphragm and in the upper limb that are
listed in your Lab Guide

• Notice the pulmonary vessels and try to trace

their path to their connections to the lungs

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 Things you should do in lab today
Follow Laboratory guide instructions for laboratory 3 to:
•Examine the artery/vein slide under the microscope
– Name/identify the layers of the artery & vein
– Describe how each layer (tunic) is constructed
– Refer to Marieb’s Lab Manual Figures 32.1& 32.2
•Review and identify human arteries listed for Laboratory 3 (above
diaphragm and upper limb)
•Perform fetal pig dissection for arteries listed for Laboratory 3
(above diaphragm and upper limb). See Marieb’s Lab manual pp.
721-724 for instructions and reference.
•Complete Laboratory 3 Assignment and Identify all arteries listed
for Laboratory 3 (See lab guide )
•Answer any questions in the laboratory guide and in the lab manual
complete Lab review sheets for Exercises 32 (Arteries covered
today)
•** Make sure you complete working through the above items
before next lab. (Do not fall behind!)
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Marieb Figure 32.3, page 464

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 To be handed in next week…

• Laboratory 3 Assignment
– Exercise 2 - trace the path of a drop of blood from just after
it leaves the heart until it reaches left side of the brain.
(Refer to Fig. 32.3 on pp. 464)

– Exercise 3 - trace the path of a drop of blood from just after

it leaves the heart until it reaches right wrist. (Refer to Fig.
32.3 on Pp. 464 & Fig. 32.5 pp. 467)

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 Next Lab…
Laboratory 4 Blood Vessels II: Arteries*

• Dissection kit, goggles and gloves required

• Skim/read through laboratory 4 in laboratory

guide and Exercises 32 & Dissection Exercise 4 in
Marieb Lab Manual

– You will be continuing from where we reached

today and cover arteries below the diaphragm
– Good idea to look ahead at the arteries we’ll be
covering.
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