Dissection of the Heart
If possible, obtain a fresh sheep/pig heart from your local butcher or supermarket. Use the pdf
instructions on Dissecting a Pig Heart to guide you through the dissection.
Dissection of a pig heart is valuable because the pig heart is similar in size and structure to the
human heart. Also, a dissection experience allows you to view structures in a way not possible with
models and diagrams. There is no better way to teach the structure to function relationship of the
heart than to actually dissect it for yourself. Refer to Figures 4.1 – 4.4 as you proceed with the
dissection.
The heart dissection is tricky and challenging when you do it for the first time. Heart is not perfectly
symmetrical with lots of blood vessels attached. Please follow the step-by-step instructions provided
to guide you through the dissection process. Also provided are the video links to scaffold your
learning and provide a visual support. To view these videos, you will be required to log into Curtin
library using your student credentials.
Obtain a pig heart and dissecting instruments. Rinse the pig heart in cold water to flush out any
trapped blood clots. Place the cleaned heart on drop sheet to avoid any drippings. Keep some
tissues handy. Now you are ready to make your observations. Observe the texture of the
pericardium and fatty tissue. Palpate the heart and feel the difference in the muscle tone.
Watch the following short videos (1 & 2) to establish your understanding of location and
orientation of heart within thoracic cavity along with major vessels entering and leaving the
heart.
1. https://aclandanatomy-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/MultimediaPlayer.aspx?multimediaId=10528595
2. https://aclandanatomy-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/MultimediaPlayer.aspx?multimediaId=10528571
1. Note the point of attachment of the pericardium to the heart. Where is it
attached?
Orientation of the heart.
Before proceeding with the dissection hold the heart in the correct anatomical position with
the major trunks (aorta and pulmonary trunk) in the anterior and superior position. See Figure
4.3.
i. Does the pulmonary trunk lie in front or behind the aorta when viewing the heart from
the anterior aspect?
1
, Figure 4.3: Anterior View of the Heart
Adapted from Van Putte et al., 11th edition.
2. External Surface features of the heart.
Now you have the heart correctly orientated. Identify the following features:
right and left atrioventricular sulcus (sulci (sing. sulcus) means a groove). Follow each sulcus
around the circumference to where they meet at the back of the heart.
i. These two grooves separate which chambers? (hint: its all in the name!).
anterior and posterior interventricular sulci.
ii. Which chambers do they separate?
the left and right atria and distinguish them from the left and right ventricles. Each atrium
has an associated auricle, earlike flaps of tissue, projecting from the atrial chamber.
the left ventricle by compressing the ventricular chambers on each side of the
interventricular sulci. The side that feels thicker and more solid is the left ventricle. The
right ventricle feels much thinner and somewhat flabby upon compression. This difference
reflects the greater demand placed on the left ventricle, which must pump blood through
the systemic circulation, a pathway with much higher resistance than the pulmonary
circulation (to the lungs and back), which is served by the right ventricle.
the base and apex of the heart, the base is where the great vessels enter and exit the heart
and where the pericardium attaches.
iii. Which ventricle makes up the apex of the heart?
2
If possible, obtain a fresh sheep/pig heart from your local butcher or supermarket. Use the pdf
instructions on Dissecting a Pig Heart to guide you through the dissection.
Dissection of a pig heart is valuable because the pig heart is similar in size and structure to the
human heart. Also, a dissection experience allows you to view structures in a way not possible with
models and diagrams. There is no better way to teach the structure to function relationship of the
heart than to actually dissect it for yourself. Refer to Figures 4.1 – 4.4 as you proceed with the
dissection.
The heart dissection is tricky and challenging when you do it for the first time. Heart is not perfectly
symmetrical with lots of blood vessels attached. Please follow the step-by-step instructions provided
to guide you through the dissection process. Also provided are the video links to scaffold your
learning and provide a visual support. To view these videos, you will be required to log into Curtin
library using your student credentials.
Obtain a pig heart and dissecting instruments. Rinse the pig heart in cold water to flush out any
trapped blood clots. Place the cleaned heart on drop sheet to avoid any drippings. Keep some
tissues handy. Now you are ready to make your observations. Observe the texture of the
pericardium and fatty tissue. Palpate the heart and feel the difference in the muscle tone.
Watch the following short videos (1 & 2) to establish your understanding of location and
orientation of heart within thoracic cavity along with major vessels entering and leaving the
heart.
1. https://aclandanatomy-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/MultimediaPlayer.aspx?multimediaId=10528595
2. https://aclandanatomy-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/MultimediaPlayer.aspx?multimediaId=10528571
1. Note the point of attachment of the pericardium to the heart. Where is it
attached?
Orientation of the heart.
Before proceeding with the dissection hold the heart in the correct anatomical position with
the major trunks (aorta and pulmonary trunk) in the anterior and superior position. See Figure
4.3.
i. Does the pulmonary trunk lie in front or behind the aorta when viewing the heart from
the anterior aspect?
1
, Figure 4.3: Anterior View of the Heart
Adapted from Van Putte et al., 11th edition.
2. External Surface features of the heart.
Now you have the heart correctly orientated. Identify the following features:
right and left atrioventricular sulcus (sulci (sing. sulcus) means a groove). Follow each sulcus
around the circumference to where they meet at the back of the heart.
i. These two grooves separate which chambers? (hint: its all in the name!).
anterior and posterior interventricular sulci.
ii. Which chambers do they separate?
the left and right atria and distinguish them from the left and right ventricles. Each atrium
has an associated auricle, earlike flaps of tissue, projecting from the atrial chamber.
the left ventricle by compressing the ventricular chambers on each side of the
interventricular sulci. The side that feels thicker and more solid is the left ventricle. The
right ventricle feels much thinner and somewhat flabby upon compression. This difference
reflects the greater demand placed on the left ventricle, which must pump blood through
the systemic circulation, a pathway with much higher resistance than the pulmonary
circulation (to the lungs and back), which is served by the right ventricle.
the base and apex of the heart, the base is where the great vessels enter and exit the heart
and where the pericardium attaches.
iii. Which ventricle makes up the apex of the heart?
2
