Experiment-Heart Dissection(Complete)

Question 1

Describe the process of this experiment.

Answer 1

Obtain a sheep’s heart.
Identify the front or ventral surface which is more rounded.
Place on a dissecting board with the ventral surface upright.
Notice how the left side feels firmer as the left ventricle has a thicker muscle wall.
If not removed by the butcher, the coronary vessel runs diagonally from left to right in front of the heart.
Use a scalpel to make a shallow cut from the left ventricle to the left atrium parallel to the septum.
Make a second incision 1cm away from and parallel to the first cut.
Use your fingers to push open the heart at each incision to view the internal structures:
2 atria- smaller with thinner walls.
2 ventricles- bigger with thicker walls, left firmer.
Bicuspid valve with 2 flaps.
Tricuspid valve with 3 flaps.
Semilunar valves are viewed from the aorta and pulmonary artery when cut open.
Flag label using pins and paper, thee parts which are identified.

Question 2

Name 2 safety precautions for this experiment.

Answer 2

Cut away from the body when using the scalpel.

Wear a lab coat, goggles and gloves.

Question 3

How did you expose the semilunar valve?

Answer 3

Cut open the aorta.

Question 4

Where in the dissection did you find the origin of the coronary artery?

Answer 4

The base of the aorta.

Question 5

What is the function of the semilunar valve?

Answer 5

To prevent backflow into the ventricles.

Question 6

Cardiac muscle is described as contractile tissue, what does this mean?

Answer 6

It can shorten.

Question 7

Where is the septum located?

Answer 7

Between the right and left sides of the heart.