Lab 1: Rat Dissection Flashcards

1
Q

List the main internal differences between rats and humans.

A

Teeth
Gall bladder
Reproductive system

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2
Q

How are the teeth of rats different to those of humans?

A

Adapted for gnawing. The paired incisors grow throughout life and lack enamel on their posterior surfaces, so that rapid wear of the posterior surface produces a characteristic chisel shape. Rats do not have canines because they are herbivores.

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3
Q

How do the jaws of rats differ from humans?

A

The lower jaw (mandible) is in two pieces, hinged in the middle. The spacing between incisors can be varied at will.

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4
Q

At what age are rats full grown? What is their life span?

A

6-8 months

3 years

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5
Q

How do the fore and hind limbs of rats compare to humans?

A

Both have pentadactyle fore and hind limbs.

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6
Q

Compare the tails of rats and humans.

A

Rats use their tails for balance. Human embryos possess a distinct tail but do not retain it through fetal life.

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7
Q

What is special about rat nostrils?

A

The nares can be closed under water.

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8
Q

How are the long hairs on the faces of rats useful?

A

The vibrissae are tactile organs which allow the rat to navigate confined spaces in the dark.

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9
Q

Describe the genitalia of male rats

A

The scrotum, which contains the testes is seen near the anus. Anterior to this is the prepuce, a skin fold concealing the glans of the penis.

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10
Q

How are male rat genitalia different to that of other primates?

A

In primates the penis is external tot he body wall for most of its length but in rats, the flaccid penis is contained within the abdominal wall.

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11
Q

Describe the genitalia of female rats.

A

Vaginal opening is in front of anus. Urethral opening is on the tip of a papilla anterior to the vagina.

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12
Q

What is meant by a papilla?

A

A small, rounded protuberance in a part or organ of the body.

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13
Q

Which membrane is bonded to the abdominal wall? What does it surround?

A

Peritoneum surrounds the peritoneal cavity.

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14
Q

What is the name of the peritoneum covering the abdominal wall?

A

Parietal peritoneum

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15
Q

What is the parietal peritoneum continuous with? What does it do?

A

A double layer of peritoneum called a mesentry. It suspends the intestines.

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16
Q

What is the name of the peritoneum covering the intestine?

A

Visceral peritoneum

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17
Q

What are the four ventral body cavities?

A

Peritoneal cavity
Two pleural cavities
Pericardial cavity

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18
Q

What type of organ is the thymus gland? What is its function?

A

Lymphoid organ which has a role in the formation of T-lymphocytes. Also secretes hormones important in the development of other lymphoid tissues.

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19
Q

Why is the gut tube long?

A

In order to increase surface area for absorption and secretion.

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20
Q

What are the three tubular portions of the gut?

A

Oesophagus, small intestine, large intestine

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21
Q

What are the two sacs of the gut?

A

Stomach and caecum

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22
Q

What happens to the contents of the gut in the sacs?

A

It temporarily comes to rest.

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23
Q

Where does absorption and secretion occur in the gut tube?

A

Everywhere downstream of the oesophagus.

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24
Q

What other structures secrete into the gut?

A

Two large glands (liver and pancreas)

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25
Q

Which side does the stomach mostly lie on?

A

The left side

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26
Q

What are the two types of curvature?

A

Greater and lesser

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27
Q

Where does the oesophagus enter the stomach?

A

Part-way along the lesser curvature.

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28
Q

What are the dimensions of the small intestine?

A

Uniform diameter

Four body lengths from inlet to outlet.

29
Q

What are the three regions of the small intestine?

A

Duodenum, jejunum and ileum entering the caecum

30
Q

What is the small intestine attached to the dorsal body wall by?

A

A transparent mesentery which is a double-layer of peritoneum.

31
Q

Where does the pancreas sit in relation to the stomach?

A

Close to the greater curvature of the stomach, with the pancreatic duct extending from the medial end of the gland towards the duodenum.

32
Q

What is the purpose of bile?

A

Aids in digestion and absorption of fats and vitamins.

33
Q

In humans, where is bile stored?

A

A gall bladder, whose duct joins the bile duct to discharge into the duodenum.

34
Q

How many lobes does the rat liver have? Do humans have more or fewer?

A

Four

Fewer

35
Q

From where does the liver receive venous blood?

A

From the gut wall via the hepatic portal vein.

36
Q

From where does the liver receive oxygenated blood?

A

From the aorta via the hepatic artery, a branch of the coeliac artery.

37
Q

What system is the spleen a part of?

A

Lymphatic system

38
Q

What are the four parts of the large intestine?

A

Caecum, colon, rectum, anus

39
Q

What are the purposes of the large intestine?

A

Reabsorption of water and formation of faeces from undigested food residue.

40
Q

What contributes to the putrification of the undigested food residue.

A

Resident bacteria

41
Q

Describe the caecum

A

A flabby, thin-walled bag. Human caecum terminates in a vermiform (worm-like) appendix, which contains lymphoid tissue.

42
Q

Kidneys are said to be retroperitoneal. What is meant by this?

A

Behind the peritoneum. Ventral surface of each kidney is covered with parietal peritoneum and dorsal surface attached to the body wall.

43
Q

What is the hilus of the kidneys?

A

A depression on the medial surface is the the point where the renal artery, renal vein and ureter access the kidney.

44
Q

What do the outer crust and inner core secrete?

A

Cortex secretes several steroid hormones whilst medulla secretes adrenaline.

45
Q

Describe the hard palate.

A

The anterior roof of the mouth, a bony partition separating the mouth from the nasal cavities above.

46
Q

Describe the soft palate.

A

The posterior roof of the mouth, lacking a core of bone.

47
Q

What is the glottis?

A

The opening into the trachea.

48
Q

What is the purpose of the epiglottis?

A

To prevent food and water entering the trachea during swallowing.

49
Q

Do rats have a gall bladder?

A

NO

50
Q

Which structure of a rat has the most vascular appearance?

A

Spleen

51
Q

Why don’t rats have a gall bladder?

A

Bile is secreted directly into the digestive system by the liver. Rats don’t need bile in large amounts at particular times because they do not have fatty diets.

52
Q

Describe the reproductive system of female rats.

A

Y shaped uterus with two arms or horns in which the embryos implant. This shape increases the surface area for implantation, allowing for a larger litter.

53
Q

What is the only thing found in the peritoneal cavity?

A

Serous fluid

54
Q

What is the largest serous membrane?

A

Peritoneum

55
Q

What is the peritoneum made up of?

A

Layers of simple squamous epithelium.

56
Q

Why is the dissected rat lung different to the normal rat lung?

A

The rats were killed by using carbon dioxide. This causes haemorrhage from small blood vessels in the lungs. Thus the lungs will be dark red and blood-filled, which is unlike their normal bright pink colour and spongy texture.

57
Q

What does the pericardial cavity contain?

A

A supply of serous fluid called the pericardial fluid/

58
Q

The pyloric sphincter is under __________ ________

A

Involuntary control

59
Q

Name the exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas.

A

Exocrine: releases an alkaline digestive juice containing enzymes (lipases, amylases, and proteases) into the duodenum.
Endocrine: secrete hormones (insulin) into the bloodstream.

60
Q

Describe the appearance of the rat pancreas.

A

Made of small, scattered, pink lobules suspended by mesentery.

61
Q

What does the dark red colour of the liver indicate?

A

Its rich blood supply (vascular) and the fact that its connective tissue capsule is very thin.

62
Q

What does the soft-jellylike texture of the liver mean it is vulnerable to?

A

Traumatic injury , which causes severe internal bleeding.

63
Q

What is the function of the spleen?

A

Recycling RBC’s

64
Q

What is the function of the thymus?

A

Making WBC’s

65
Q

Where is the spleen found?

A

On the extreme left side of the abdominal cavity

66
Q

Describe the appearance of the spleen.

A

A dark red elongated leaf-shaped organ

67
Q

How is the spleen similar to the liver?

A

It lacks a tough capsule and has a generous blood supply.

68
Q

What is another name for the colon?

A

Large intestine

69
Q

Describe the anal sphincter. How is the pyloric sphincter different?

A

2 bands - 1 voluntary and 1 involuntary

Pyloric has only 1 involuntary band