The Cardiovascular System (Anatomy)

1. Describe the location and general features of the heart. 
2. Describe the structure of the pericardium, and explain its functions. 
3. Trace the flow of blood through the heart, identifying the major blood vessels, chambers, and heart valves. 
4. Identify the layers of the heart wall. 
5. Describe the vascular supply and innervation of the heart. 
 

Directions 

I.  Safety Precautions 
 
a. Always wear gloves when handling the specimen to be dissected.  The heart is preserved in a material that you do not want to get on your hands. 

b. Do not eat or drink in the area while you are conducting a dissection. 

c. Take special care when using the scalpel blade ? it is a surgical instrument and therefore extremely sharp.  

d. Think before you cut.  You cannot put the specimen back together after it’s sliced. 

e. When you complete the dissection return the specimen to the bag, clean the dissecting tray and instruments.  Be sure to wipe the table area where you worked. 

f. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after completing the dissection and clean up.
 

 
II.  Dissection Procedure 
 
1. Before cutting your heart, you need to develop a strategy for the dissection.  Draw a figure to map out how you will conduct your dissection in order to expose the following anatomical structures in the bovine heart: 
 
 
Right and left atria 
Right and left ventricle 
Auricles 
Coronary sulcus 
Anterior and Posterior interventricular sulci 
Interatrial / interventricular septum 
Right and Left Atrioventricular valves (Tricuspid and Bicuspid (mitral) valves) 
Chordae tendinae 
Superior/Inferior vena cava 
Coronary Sinus 
Pectinate and Papillary muscles  
Fossa ovalis 
Trabeculae carnae 
Conus arteriosus 
Pulmonary and aortic semilunar valves 
Ascending/Descending aorta 
Aortic arch and Aortic sinuses 
Epicardium, Myocardium and Endocardium
 
2. Dissect the bovine heart identifying each structure on the previous list.
 
3. Now, draw a model of the bovine heart demonstrating the anatomical structures as you see them in the bovine heart.  Label the structures in the correct anatomical order.
 
4. Trace a drop of blood through the heart by listing the structures in the proper sequence from the superior and inferior vena cavae to the aorta. Include the names of valves, designation of arteries and veins, and pulmonary capillaries.
 
5. Trace of drop of blood through the coronary circulation by listing the structures in proper sequence from the aorta (into either the left or right coronary artery) back to the right atrium.  Designate arteries and veins and indicate the capillaries in the myocardium where gas and nutrient exchange takes place.
 

III.  Questions for Reflection To be completed by each individual in the group. 
 

1. Compare the size of the walls of the heart that enclose the left and right ventricle.  Explain why the difference exists. 

2. Describe the anatomical differences between a bovine and a human heart. 

3. Describe how you felt about conducting this dissection.  Describe how each of your senses was impacted by the activity.

 
 
  An individual written report on your response to the abovementioned questions.