How to Dissect a Cat

A majority of high school students who take anatomy will be required to dissect a cat. Through dissection you can learn about the muscular, digestive and nervous system. Follow these steps to prepare and learn how to dissect a cat beforehand so you don't lose your lunch over this assignment.

Instructions

1. Wear a pair of old clothes or an apron and tie back your hair. Put on rubber gloves and keep your hands away from your face while you dissect the cat.

2. Lie the cat face up in the dissecting pan with the ventral surface exposed. Tie a string to the cat's left front paw, run it under the pan and tie it to its right front paw. This will keep the cat on its back.

3. View the cat's digestive system by making a cut down the center of the cat using a scalpel. Identify the diaphragm, stomach, intestines, spleen, pancreas, gallbladder and liver.

4. Identify the circulatory system of the cat. This includes the heart, aorta and veins.

5. Locate the organs of the respiratory system. These include the trachea, lungs, bronchial tubes and pharynx.

6. Cut down the legs and shoulders of the cat. Locate the muscles such as the Gracilis, Triceps and Biceps Femoris.

7. Clean your dissection equipment after you have finished dissecting the cat. Remove the clothes or apron worn during the dissection and wash your hands.

Tips & Warnings

• Never dissect a cat without the proper supervision of a trained professional in a controlled setting. The cats used during dissection are obtained from the animal shelter after euthanization from overpopulation. They have been properly prepared for educational purposes.