Eve Kelley

February 18, 2017

Biology

Fetal Pig Dissection Lab

Problem Statement: How do humans and fetal pigs compare anatomically?

Hypothesis: If the fetal pig is dissected, then it will be possible to make comparisons and find
the percentage of similarities between human and fetal pig anatomy because the anatomy will be
accessible for analysis, and because humans and pigs are both mammals and will have some
obvious similarities.

Materials:
1. Scalpel
2. Probe
3. Scissors
4. Forceps
5. Dissection tray
6. Latex gloves
7. Plastic apron
8. Plastic tablecloth
9. String

Procedure:
1. Set down tablecloth on a large, clear space.
2. Put on gloves and apron.
3. Get tools and tray ready, make sure they are clean and then set them on the table.
4. Place pig in tray on its back.
5. Tie front legs to each other around the back of the tray with the string so that they are
spread wide, and then do the same for the back legs (it might be helpful to tie the two
strings together along the side to prevent them from slipping off.
6. Using the scalpel, make a horizontal incision in the pig’s throat about 4 inches depending
on the size of the specimen.
7. From the middle of the horizontal throat incision, cut vertically down the pig’s stomach
until you reach the umbilical cord. Make sure that the cut has gone all the way through
the ribs and chest plate so that the internal organs can be exposed.
8. Cut around the umbilical cord on either side (the incision will resemble an upside-down
‘U’).
9. Cut horizontally underneath the front legs on either side so that there are two flaps that
can be opened to see the internal organs.
10. Pull the rib flaps open so that the organs can be accessed.

Independent Variable: Dissection and examination of fetal pig

Dependent Variable: Number of anatomical features similar between the fetal pig and humans
Anatomical Feature: Human Pig

Skeleton Have two arms and two legs, Have four legs, stand
stand vertically horizontally

Liver Four lobes: left, right, caudate Five lobes: right lateral, right
and quadrate central, left central, left
lateral, and caudate

Muscles Chest and abdominal muscles See previous box

are the same, leg (and arm)
muscles differ between the
two because of four vs two
legs

Adrenal Glands On top of the kidneys Near the aorta, towards the
cephalic end of the kidney

Thymus In the thoracic cavity under In the thoracic cavity under

the sternum the sternum (often larger than
people expect it to be)
Photos: After the pig had been dissected, showing the inside of the chest cavity. Visible organs:
heart, lungs, liver, stomach, diaphragm, small & large intestines

Observations: This was a very interesting and valuable experience that exposed me to new
information perceptions of reality. There’s a big difference between seeing a diagram or even a
model of a human (or pig) body and seeing the actual thing in front of you. There were a lot of
differences between the two that I was able to distinguish because of getting to see and work
with the pig. The thing that stood out to me the most was the shape of the lungs, which was not
what I expected at all. They wrap around the heart and are pointed instead of round, like most
pictures show. Human and pig lungs are the same, as are most of the intestines.

Analysis: Human and pig anatomy are surprisingly similar. Other than being bipedal versus
quadrupedal, most aspects are the same. The internal organs are mainly the same, some varying
slightly in size. Both humans and pigs are mammals and have the same basic survival needs. I
was able to find the similarities in their anatomy by looking at the actual pig and photographs of
human anatomy as well as doing some additional research that related to the similarities and
differences on a more scientific level.

Conclusion Statement: This was my favorite lab I’ve ever done. I thought it was thoroughly
interesting and useful information to have, and a valuable experience. I was tentative at first
when the pig was whole, but once we started dissecting it I was able to get into a more scientific
mindset and enjoy the experience for what it was instead of inaccurate sentiments. It turned out
that there were a lot of similarities between pig and human anatomy. This added a whole new
aspect to the experience because it related to humans and was like a glimpse into my own
anatomy which I wouldn’t get a chance to see otherwise. Everything about it was really
interesting, both the reactions and capabilities of the people around me and the actual dissection
itself. I learned a lot about the actual placement and look of how the intestines fit together, what
they actually look like and their size in relation to each other. I thoroughly enjoyed and am
thankful for the experience.
 Works Cited
Taylor, Tim. “Digestive System” Inner Body http://www.innerbody.com/image/digeov.html
Accessed
Feb 2017.

“Fetal Pig Dissection: External Anatomy” Biology Corner

https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/fetal_pig_dissection.html Accessed Feb 2017.

Miller, Linda. “Human/Pig Comparisons” Goshen College

https://www.goshen.edu/academics/biology/pigbook/human-pig-comparisons/ Accessed
Feb
2017.