1. Heart Dissection
Images and text from &

2. Let’s put a name to its parts!
The mammal heart has two atria and two completely separated ventricles.
The left side of the heart handles only oxygenated blood and the right side receives and pumps only deoxygenated blood

3. Let’s start the dissection: External Structure
The heart is now in the pan in the position it would be in a body as you face the body.
It is very important that you figure out the correct orientation of the heart, try to find the aorta, you may actually see the three branches, remember that the wall of the aorta will be very thick.
The left ventricle wall should also be much harder than the right ventricle, squeeze it to find out!!!
Right
Left
Front or Ventral Side of the Heart

4. Make sure you know what angle you are viewing your heart, this is the anterior view.
Aorta

5. External Structure
Take a picture of your heart and label the chambers listed below:
Left atria – upper chamber to your right
Left ventricle – lower chamber to your right
Right atria – upper chamber to your left
Right ventricle – lower chamber to your left

6. External Structure
Using popsicle sticks label the different veins and arteries before taking a picture. This will help you with labeling.
Take a picture of the broad end of the heart (superior view) and label the veins and arteries on your diagram
pulmonary artery
Aorta
Pulmonary vein
Vena Cava

7. More Help (posterior view)

8. More Help (posterior view)

9. Superior View (More Help)

10. Internal Structure Take a picture of your dissection and label:
Hold the heart with the anterior view facing you. Make a coronal (frontal) cut through the heart. Stop cutting when your knife reaches the top portions of the atria
Examine the internal structure.
Find where the inferior and superior vena cava enter the right atrium and where the aorta leaves the left ventricle.
Examine the left ventricle. Notice the thickness of the ventricular wall (it pumps blood to the whole body!)
Locate the valves between the atriums and ventricles.
Take a picture of your dissection and label:

12. BE STILL MY BEATING HEART!
Please Clean up:
Place all of the heart pieces into a zip lock bag
Clean all dissection tools with HOT! Water and soap
Clean tray with hot water and soap
Clorox all surface areas
Please respond to all conclusion questions.
BE STILL MY BEATING HEART!