Feb 10 day 2 of respiratory system dissection

Focus question- where are the bronchial tubes located?

Materials -

-scalpel

-gloves

-face mask

-apron

-tweezers

-microscope

-slide

Procedure-

1. Remove heart, lungs and trachea which was detached in previous procedure.

2. Take heart out of lungs and place back inside cat.

3. Spread lungs flat for better visibility.

4. Locate bronchial tubes.

5. Scrape away at outer tissues until bronchial tubes uncovered.

6. Use tweezers to pick away excess skin covering

7. Use scalpel to remove alveoli.

8. Set up microscope.

9. View alveoli under microscope.

10. Document and take pictures.

Observations

The tubes had a much thicker texture than the lung tissue surrounding it. The alveoli had a bubbly look. The tubes got smaller as they progressed further. The primary bronchial tubes were considerably large while by the time we reached the tertiary bronchial tubes, they were very thin.

Reflection

I found this dissection pretty easy to do. The tubes on our cat's lungs were easily visible so the uncovering took little work. I struggled a bit trying to view the alveoli under the microscope. Other than that, today's dissection was relatively uneventful. 

Feb 7 lungs

Focus question - what are the parts that make up the lung?

Materials 

-scalpel

-gloves

-apron

-face mask

Procedure

1. Make incision from throat to ribs

2. Remove esophagus from trachea.

3. Slice trachea and vein.

4. Remove lungs, trachea and heart as one piece.

5. Remove heart from lungs.

6. Take pictures and document.

Observations

The trachea was stabilized by rings of bone. The heart was kept stable by the lungs which nearly enclose it completely. Heart was surprisingly small compared to the lungs. Lungs were a very tough texture while heart was smooth and squishy. Ribs kept getting in the way of opening up the lungs properly so many were broken in the process.

Reflections 

I found this part of the cat dissection relatively enjoyable. Unlike with the muscles, where the focus had to be on the striations in order to differentiate between different parts, the organs were far more straightforward. It was also interesting seeing the organs and the differences in cat parts and human parts. Unlike with the human body, the lungs enclose the heart. The bones within the trachea and the texture of it caught my interest as well. Removal of the lungs was slightly off putting. The juice from the cat which had a watery consistency had gathered inside the bottom of the cat so when I went to scoop the lungs out after the detachment of the parts, it was hardly enjoyable.