Fetal Pig Dissection

Pigs are excellent and engaging specimens for studying mammalian anatomy. They exhibit hair, a muscular diaphragm, a 4-chambered heart, and mammary glands. Middle school students can use preserved pigs to begin their exploration of human body systems and structure and function. Advanced high school biology or anatomy and physiology students can use pig anatomy as an explanatory model for human anatomy, both internally and externally. (Remember, pig heart valves have for years been an option for human heart valve transplants.) Preserved pigs are also perfect specimens for modeling fetal development. The pig specimen demonstrates fetal circulation and umbilical vessels.

For students studying forensic science, preserved pigs are perfect tools for teaching the protocols pathologists follow during an autopsy. The placement of incisions changes when compared to standard dissection, allowing students to examine internal organs separately or as a system. As time permits, students can take measurements of organs and organ systems, dissect select organs, and even make microscope slides of tissue samples from their specimens for comparison to prepared pathology slides. Preserved pigs provide a complete and comprehensive hands-on tool for students to practice developing explanations and models, analyzing data, and arguing from evidence. Learn more about the Carolina® Forensic Dissection Kit.

Below is a brief survey of the internal and external anatomy of the pig. For more detailed dissection instructions and information, check out Carolina® dissection kits.