Dissecting Rabbits

A quick overview of our rabbit dissection.

General Plan

Since each group had previously read about a different organ system I asked the class to report by group which organs they’d identified.

Tissue types

  • Connective tissue: e.g. Separating the skin from the lining surrounding the body cavities.
  • Epithelial tissue: e.g. lining of body cavities
  • Muscular Tissue: e.g. muscles in the legs
  • Nervous tissue: e.g. spinal cord

Abdominal Cavity

Digestive System (we did not dissect the head)

The first incision opened up the abdominal cavity. The digestive organs were the largest and most obvious physical features.

  • esophagus
  • stomach
  • small intestines (265 cm long)
  • large intestines (40 cm long)
The initial cut into the abdominal cavity exposes the small and large intestines, and the lower part of the stomach.
The initial cut into the abdominal cavity exposes the small and large intestines, and the lower part of the stomach.
The organs of the abdominal cavity removed: small and large intestines, stomach, and the liver.
The organs of the abdominal cavity removed: small and large intestines, stomach, and the liver.
Unraveled, the small intestines measured approximately 265 cm in length. The large intestines were 40 cm long.
Unraveled, the small intestines measured approximately 265 cm in length. The large intestines were 40 cm long.
Cutting into the stomach reveals some of the rabbit's last meal. The pH is close to 1.
Cutting into the stomach reveals some of the rabbit’s last meal. The pH is close to 1.
The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach. As such it runs through the thoracic cavity, behind the lungs, and through the thoracic diaphram to get to the stomach.
The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach. As such it runs through the thoracic cavity, behind the lungs, and through the thoracic diaphragm to get to the stomach.

Excretory and Water Regulation Organs

Also in the abdominal cavity are the excretory/water regulation organs.

  • Kidneys
  • Urinary Bladder
  • ureters (from kidneys)
  • urethra (going out)
The kidneys and ureter can be seen in the abdominal cavity.
The kidneys and ureter can be seen in the abdominal cavity.
The urinary bladder can be seen in the lower abdominal cavity. It is most easily visible if it still contains some urine.
The urinary bladder can be seen in the lower abdominal cavity. It is most easily visible if it still contains some urine.

Reproductive system (we had both male and female rabbits)

  • ovaries
  • uterus
  • testes
  • penis
Ovary, fallopian tube, and uterus from dissected rabbit.
Ovary, fallopian tube, and uterus from dissected rabbit.

Thoracic Cavity

Cardiovascular system

The thoracic cavity is opened up after the abdominal cavity by cutting through the bones of the chest.

  • heart
  • capillaries on the small intestines
  • heart valves
The heart and major arteries (e.g. the aorta) can be seen in the thoracic cavity.
The heart and major arteries (e.g. the aorta) can be seen in the thoracic cavity.
The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach. As such it runs through the thoracic cavity, behind the lungs, and through the thoracic diaphram to get to the stomach.
The diaphragm is the sheet of skeletal muscle used for breathing that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

Respiratory System

  • lungs
  • trachaea
  • diaphram
Only the organs of the respiratory system in the thoracic cavity were identified. Note that the heart is also visible, as are the stomach and liver at the left of the image.
Only the organs of the respiratory system in the thoracic cavity were identified. Note that the heart is also visible, as are the stomach and liver at the left of the image.
Slicing through the lungs reveals some of its internal structure.
Slicing through the lungs reveals some of its internal structure.

Skeletal System

  • vertebra
  • ribs
  • sternum
  • pelvic girdle
  • scapula
  • clavicle
Removal of the organs of the major cavities reveals the ribs and sternum (which had to be cut through to get into the thoracic cavity) and the spinal column.
Removal of the organs of the major cavities reveals the ribs and sternum (which had to be cut through to get into the thoracic cavity) and the spinal column.

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