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)





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)


Reproductive system (we had both male and female rabbits)
- ovaries
- uterus
- testes
- penis

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


Respiratory System
- lungs
- trachaea
- diaphram


Skeletal System
- vertebra
- ribs
- sternum
- pelvic girdle
- scapula
- clavicle
