Chapter 4: Dissection of Internal Thorax

IMPORTANT NOTES: Use the instructions within this Guide to dissect both the pony and calf specimens on both left and right sides; species specific instructions and exceptions will be indicated as needed.

• Horse/Pony specific directions are in red.
• Ox/Calf specific directions are in blue.
• The hanging specimens will be dissected from the hanging position as much as possible. This will provide you the advantage of seeing the structures in a normal (upright) position.
• Specimen storage: At the end of any given lab, all areas of the specimens where skin was removed should be wrapped with paper towels soaked in wetting solution and then covered with plastic bags (including a bag over the head) to avoid desiccation.

This chapter is split into five parts:

1. Pleural Cavity/Space
2. Lungs and Bronchi
3. Mediastinum and Diaphragm
4. Nerves
5. Heart and Major Vessels

Your mission is to work with your dissection teammates to complete all five parts of this dissection in the allotted amount of time associated with the internal thorax dissection. All terms in bold font that are not italicized are fair game for quizzes and exams. (Italicized items are for your information only and are not testable information.) 

Click this link to access the complete Dissection of Internal Thorax learning objectives and terms list; this material can also be found on the course Canvas site.