Materials Required:
Cow’s heart (purchased from a butcher)
Dissection tray or cutting board
Dissection tools (scalpel, scissors, tweezers)
Gloves
Reference picture showing labeled parts of the heart (such as the pulmonary trunk, valves, atria, ventricles, etc.)
Notebook and pen for observations
Steps Involved:
Place the cow’s heart on a dissection tray or cutting board, ensuring all tools are ready and gloves are worn.
Begin by examining the exterior of the heart, identifying structures like the apex and the myocardium of the left ventricle.
Carefully cut the heart cross-sectionally to open it and expose the internal structures.
Use the reference picture to locate and identify the following parts:
Pulmonary trunk
Pulmonary valve
Aortic valve
Chordae tendinae
Mitral valve
Left atrium
Semilunar valve
Right ventricle
Tricuspid valve
Right atrium
Myocardium of interventricular septum
Interventricular septum
Discuss the function of each part, explaining how they work together to pump blood through the body.
Allow students to make notes and observations as they examine the heart, reinforcing their understanding of the circulatory system through this hands-on experience.