Heart Dissection

The mammalian heart is the central organ of the circulatory or cardiovascular system. It pumps blood to the body’s organs and tissues delivering oxygen and nutrients, while transporting wastes away.

Dissection of a preserved sheep or pig heart offers students an excellent opportunity to learn about mammalian heart anatomy. While dissecting, students can also explore how blood is pumped through the heart. Preserved sheep and pig hearts, while smaller and larger respectively, are similar in structure and function to the human heart, making this dissection great for many labs—from basic biology to human anatomy courses.

Use the instructions below to investigate the internal and external anatomy of the preserved sheep heart. For more detailed dissection instructions and information, check out Carolina® dissection kits.