To start the dissection of the thoracic cavity..
Looking at the respiratory and circulatory system requires you to cut open the thoracic cavity of the pig. This is best accomplished with the scissors. There are several ways to open the thoracic cavity, but the most effective way is to first cut horizontally, starting in an area anterior to the neck muscles. Make your cut all the way across the body (but just on one "side" or one half of the pig). Then, cut straight down from the middle of the pig. This will allow for you to push apart the walls of the abdominal cavity, exposing the mediastinum and the organs within.
Trachea and Esophagus
The Trachea can be seen by removing the muscles that cover the throat area. you should be careful not to remove arteries and glands. To get see the trachea and esophagus, we removed the sternohyoid and sternomastoid muscles of the throat.
Trachea (outlined in green) can be distinguished from the esophagus, because the trachea is bigger and has cartilage rings. the esophagus (outlined in blue) is thinner and deep to the trachea.
Larynx (outlined in red) stands on the top of the trachea, a bulb like projection.
Trachea (outlined in green) can be distinguished from the esophagus, because the trachea is bigger and has cartilage rings. the esophagus (outlined in blue) is thinner and deep to the trachea.
Larynx (outlined in red) stands on the top of the trachea, a bulb like projection.
Carotid arteries, thyroid gland
The Carotid arteries and thyroid gland is located and easily found next to the Larynx
The red arrow points to the thyroid gland. This gland is circular in shape and attached to the larynx near the back.
The blue arrow points to the carotid artery, a white hollow tube near the trachea. There will be many different tube-like structures near the trachea, making the artery difficult to spot. To look for this, find a HOLLOW tube that is thinner than the esophagus.
The red arrow points to the thyroid gland. This gland is circular in shape and attached to the larynx near the back.
The blue arrow points to the carotid artery, a white hollow tube near the trachea. There will be many different tube-like structures near the trachea, making the artery difficult to spot. To look for this, find a HOLLOW tube that is thinner than the esophagus.