Dissecting A Fetal Pig

Written by Devika Chauhan

One of the most common procedures carried out in high school biology classes has to be animal dissections. One day, my science teacher walked into class and said that we would be dissecting a fetal pig next week. I was very excited. I had always seen videos of dissections online but had never done one myself. 

We were separated into groups of three and there was a small tray along with forceps and scissors in front of us. The teacher strolled across the lab room, handing each group a fetal pig. Once she made her way to my group, my excitement and anxiety doubled. The fetal pig was laid on its back on the small tray. It almost felt unreal, like a stuffed animal. The first incision was made through the pig’s thick skin. Certainly not a smooth task. After some effort, we had a full view of the fetal pig’s abdominopelvic cavity. I thought it was amazing to have a first-hand observation of how the various organ systems intertwine with each other, carrying out crucial functions. There were so many amazing details to see and analyze as well as understand what it was, and what function it retained. 

My favorite part of this dissection process was scavenging through the ribcage to observe the fetal pig’s heart. The rib cage was roughly very hard to break through or even see through. But, eventually, I was able to cut through its veins and arteries and separate the heart. Very delicate and fragile indeed, I thought while admiring the cardiac muscle of the pig. 

This hands-on experience was very valuable to me as it not only provided a chance to learn vertebrate anatomy but also served as a pivotal moment in sculpting my passion for biology; the study of life.

Written by Devika Chauhan from MEDILOQUY