Carolina Biological Supply Company
Exploring Feline Anatomy with
Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Cats
Objectives
• Introduce the general
structure, anatomy, and
physiology of the cat
• Explore the benefits of using
the cat as a model organism
for your next mammalian
dissection
• Experience the quality of
Carolina’s Perfect Solution®
specimens
Workshop Features Activities from One of
Our Most Popular Dissection Kits!
Cat Dissection BioKit®
Carolina’s Perfect Solution® CATS Are Ready
for IMMEDIATE DELIVERY!
We will work in
groups of 4.
Why Are We Doing a Cat Dissection?
• Learn vertebrate anatomy and morphology
• Discover the structures and processes shared
by cats and humans
• Develop a greater appreciation for the
complexity of life
Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Specimens
Quality Safety
Superior No dangerous
preservation off-gassing
Superior
No formalin
tissue color
odor
and texture
Competitor’s Specimen Carolina’s Perfect
Solution® Specimen
Carolina Dissection Materials
Safety Issues
• Personal Protective Equipment
Gloves, goggles, and lab aprons
• Dissection Tools
New tools = sharp scalpels
• Safety Tip
If you are not using an
instrument, set it down
Model Proper Lab Safety!
Lay out your
Organize your
instruments so
dissection area.
they are easy to
access.
Ready?
Letting the Cat Out of the Bag
Retain bag and fluid for storing your cat.
Comparing Cats to Humans
Similarities and Differences?
Comparing Cats to Humans
Genetically similar
Similar genes = very
similar anatomy!
Adaptations for Carnivores
Agility…
The long tail
Toes equipped with compressed,
hooked, retractile claws
Configuration of the Head
Carefully observe the teeth and compare
them to human teeth.
• Elongated jaw forms
a muzzle
• Modified teeth
Modification of Teeth
• Canines
• Incisors
• Molariforms (aka carnassial):
designed for tearing tendons
and ligaments of prey
Specimen Navigation
Frontal Transverse Median
plane plane sagittal plane
Dorsal
Anterior
(cranial) Posterior
(caudal)
Proximal
Distal
Ventral
Proper Skinning Technique
There really is more
than 1 way!
Avoid injection areas.
One side only!
Cutting Lines
For dissection by STUDENTS:
Allows for pelt to be placed
around cat for storage after
each dissection session
Cutting Lines
For this WORKSHOP:
Exposure of thoracic and
abdominal regions for
muscle identification and
internal exploration
Proper Skinning Technique
Keep scalpels pointing
and cutting toward
skin.
Lift and separate from
fascia with blunt
instruments.
Teacher Tip: Skinned Cats
You may choose to save class
time and purchase skinned cats!
Muscle Isolation
Opportunity for extensive study of:
• Morphology
• Kinesiology
• General muscle architecture
Muscle types:
• Smooth or striated
• Shape: convergent, strap, fan, or pinnate
• Points of origin and insertion marked by
dense connective tissue
Pectoantebrachialis
Pectoralis major
Pectoralis minor
Xiphihumeralis
Rectus abdominis
Xiphihumeralis
External oblique
Latissimus dorsi
Rectus abdominis
Internal oblique
External oblique (reflected)
Adipose tissue (fat)
Transverse
abdominis
Internal
oblique
(reflected)
External oblique
(reflected)
Opening the Thoracic Cavity
Use scalpel or scissors to expose throat/neck
region and the sternal region.
Be careful to make shallow incisions so that the
thyroid and thymus glands remain intact.
Initial Incision
Cutting the Chest Plate
Thyroid gland
Trachea
Thoracic Cavity
Cut away ribs to open thoracic region.
Observe thymus gland on the anterior surface of the
heart prior to removing pericardial sac.
Remove pericardial sac.
Prior to
removing
pericardial
sac
Lungs
Auricle (right atrium)
Ventricles of the heart
Diaphragm
Note: Ribs have been removed.
Esophagus Diaphragm
(cut and
reflected)
Liver
Inferior vena cava
Heading to the Abdominal Cavity
Muscle layer is very thin here and structures lie just
below the surface.
Using the scissors or scalpel, make a midline incision.
When you reach the genital region, make a lateral
incision through the inguinal region on each side.
Liver
Stomach
Spleen
Greater omentum
The Lesser and Greater Omentums
Peritoneal folds that appear like an apron over the
abdominal organs.
Have points of attachment at the stomach, liver, small
intestine, spleen, and colon.
Serve as fat storage.
Remove carefully along points of attachment.
Liver
Gallbladder
Stomach
Kidney
Small intestine
Spleen
Liver
Gallbladder
Stomach
Small intestine
Gallbladder
Lobe of liver
is reflected.
The
gallbladder
and common
bile duct are
exposed.
Spleen
Stomach is
Stomach reflected.
Pancreas with
intact fascia is
shown.
Remove the
fascia from
pancreas.
Note the
difference in
appearance.
Small and Large Intestines
Follow the small intestine from the attachment
at the stomach.
Note the mesentery and the mesenteric blood
vessels.
Note where the small intestine becomes the
large intestine.
Viewing the Urogenital System
Cut the large intestine at the lowest point possible in
the pelvis.
Reflect the intestines and other abdominal organs up
and back or remove them at the top of the stomach to
view the urogenital system.
Bladder
Ureter
Uterine horn/
Fallopian tube Ovary
Adrenal glands
Kidney
Observe the
kidneys and
Bladder
bladder.
Note the
adipose tissue
around the
kidneys.
Notes for Urogenital System
Adrenal glands in cats are more superior and medial
than in humans; not directly on the anterior surface of
the kidney.
There is a great convergence of blood vessels and
ureters in this area; injection makes this easier to see.
Cleanup Instructions
• KEEP GLOVES ON!
• Place ONLY animal
waste in buckets.
• All other trash goes in
trash bags.
• Wipe out pans, clean
tools, and wipe off
tables.
We Can Meet Your Dissection Needs
Top-quality specimens
and supplies
Additional Resources from Carolina
Carolina™ BioLab® Virtual Lab Series
Guide students through an
interactive virtual dissection,
teaching internal and
external features.
Carolina’s Free Resources
Carolina offers many free
resources to support teachers.
